Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ada, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair stores a comprehensive record of alcohol and drugs through biomarkers captured within the hair strands. When the sample is taken from near the scalp, it can provide a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair might be utilized. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory system. This process involves validating that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Presumptive positive samples in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly low concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge to perform.

Verification of any affirmative screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as per requirement. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests are capable of detecting drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection timeline.
• High resistance to tampering: It's exceedingly challenging to compromise a hair drug test, thereby delivering more accurate results.
• Offers historical insights: Provides a timeline of drug usage patterns spanning a period, rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug test methods.
• Potential result variances: Factors including hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand and not the underlying hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ada, KS
Hair follicle drug tests offer superior accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests in Ada, KS. Thanks to their extended detection windows and less possibility of tampering, these tests provide a far more detailed analysis of substance use patterns. This is crucial for employers and institutions enforcing drug-free policies, seeking accuracy in test outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ada, KS
Hair follicle testing is invaluable due to its capacity to discover drug use over an extended period, stretching up to 90 days. This wider detection window gives employers a thorough overview of an employee's drug history, compared to the limited timeframe of other testing methods. It's especially important in demonstrating a commitment to ensuring long-term sobriety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ada, KS
Hair follicle testing in Ada, KS, is a preferred option for its high resistance to tampering. The observed sample collection process makes it exceedingly difficult to manipulate results, ensuring integrity and trust in the testing procedure. This robustness in sample reliability guarantees dependable outcomes crucial for any strict drug policy enforcement.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Ada, KS
Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience with its network of testing centers both nationwide and in Ada, KS. Access is swift and straightforward, minimizing downtime for clients and employees alike. This wide-reaching presence ensures hassle-free testing, regardless of where you are based, thereby supporting timely and efficient process management.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ada, KS
The process for hair follicle testing in Ada, KS, is designed to be both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, privacy is prioritized at every step. This ease of use reassures individuals concerned about confidentiality, ensuring seamless integration with their daily routines without sacrificing their personal information security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ada, KS
Competitive pricing and fast result delivery define our testing services in Ada, KS. By providing cost-effective solutions and quick outcome availability, we offer exceptional value to companies of every size. These aspects support peace of mind, underscoring our dedication to customer satisfaction and upholding organizational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ada, KS
The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing make it an ideal solution in Ada, KS. These tests offer outstanding accuracy when identifying substance usage, significantly surpassing traditional methods in both trustworthiness and dependability. The fast turnaround ensures timely results, facilitating prompt decision-making for employers and professionals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ada, KS
Adopting hair follicle testing throughout workplaces in Ada, KS, ensures alignment with drug-free policies, mitigating potential legal risks. This testing method fosters a safer workplace environment by promoting compliance, ultimately giving employers peace of mind. It strengthens policy enforcement, underlining a corporate commitment to well-being.

Drug Testing Near Ada, KS

Denmark, KS

Hedville, KS

Glendale, KS

Bennington, KS

Wells, KS

Asherville, KS

Westfall, KS

Lincoln Center, KS

Simpson, KS

Culver, KS

Glasco, KS

Beverly, KS

Tescott, KS

Minneapolis, KS

Delphos, KS

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews