Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Viola, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an efficient means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures long-term history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 strands near the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing step where a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a swift initial check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen should be confirmed to be valid in court. Samples suspected to be positive in Screening require further confirmation.

For presumptive positives in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the toughest methodologies to carry out.

Confirmatory testing of positive screens is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed as needed prior to confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, leading to highly reliable results.
• Historical insights: It reveals drug usage patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It usually takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often known as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Viola, IA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by providing superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its key benefit is the extended detection window, allowing employers to identify drug use over the past 90 days, unlike the shorter period for urine tests. This method ensures higher confidence in the results, serving as a more trustworthy option for businesses and legal systems. Choose hair testing for unbeatable reliability and comprehensive detection.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Viola, IA, offers a much-extended detection window of up to 90 days, far exceeding the capabilities of traditional tests. This extended period gives employers a more detailed overview of an individual’s drug history, aiding in making informed decisions. With such comprehensive insight, businesses can maintain a safer and drug-free work environment, safeguarding their operations and workforce effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Viola, IA, hair follicle tests are lauded for their tamper-resistant nature, significantly reducing the possibility of sample adulteration. This method’s robustness ensures that the results are both reliable and unquestionable. For employers, this means obtaining valid and credible information on an employee’s or applicant's drug use history. The integrity of these tests stands unmatched, providing peace of mind with each assessment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For those in Viola, IA, and beyond, the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing’s network of nationwide centers makes accessing testing services hassle-free. Local and accessible, these centers ensure quick, straightforward testing processes. Employers and individuals benefit from the widespread location availability, making it simple and easy to schedule and complete necessary drug tests, whether nearby or across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Viola, IA, the process for ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is both simple and confidential. This ensures that individuals can complete tests without privacy concerns. The emphasis on a straightforward process helps ease any anxieties related to drug testing. Clients can rest assured that their information remains private, while the procedures are all handled with utmost confidentiality and efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Viola, IA, prides itself on offering competitive pricing structures coupled with fast turnaround times. This combination provides companies with great value for their investment while ensuring efficient processes. The affordability of our services makes it easy for businesses of all sizes to incorporate hair testing into their standard operations, ensuring they get the best results without stretching their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Viola, IA, hair follicle drug tests shine with their speed and unmatched precision in detecting substance use. Compared to other methods, they stand out due to their high accuracy. For individuals and employers alike, this means getting fast, reliable results with less stress and more confidence in the outcomes. In the realm of drug testing, quick and accurate results are paramount, and hair testing delivers exceptionally in meeting this demand.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Viola, IA, assists employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces potential legal liabilities by ensuring a safer working environment. For businesses aiming to uphold strict safety standards, hair testing reinforces their commitment to a drug-free workplace, offering peace of mind and aligning with industry regulations effectively and efficiently.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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