Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Allen, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged insight into the usage of alcohol and various drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, it can present a detection window of nearly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is recommended. If no scalp hair is accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be acquired. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the sample's initial integration into the lab system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry overlooked by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While it’s a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening needs confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples testing positive at the Screening stage require additional confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Positive screening confirmations are carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Any samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. Both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair recognition and the ISO/IEC 17025 standards' accreditation audit the entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, rendering the results more precise.
• Provides historical data: It can show a pattern of drug consumption over a lengthy duration, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Detecting drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically incur greater expenses than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth might influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as “hair follicle tests,” the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Allen, KS, employers benefit from the enhanced accuracy of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests.
Hair testing's superior detection capacity reliably identifies substance use, making it an invaluable tool for maintaining safe work environments. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests provide a prolonged detection window, ensuring more consistent and accurate results, crucial in ensuring substance-free workplaces.

Extended Detection Window

For companies in Allen, KS, hair follicle testing offers a valuable extended detection window for drug use. This method traces substance history for up to 90 days, providing employers with a detailed view of an individual’s drug usage patterns. Such comprehensive insights assist in hiring decisions and ongoing monitoring of employee conduct, safeguarding against substance misuse across extended periods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Employers in Allen, KS choose hair follicle tests for their tamper-resistant properties. These tests drastically minimize the risk of sample tampering, providing results that can be trusted without question. By significantly lowering the possibility of adulteration, hair follicle testing ensures the integrity of the drug screening process, a crucial aspect of maintaining a secure and drug-free work environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing locations nationwide, including local centers in Allen, KS, we ensure prompt and hassle-free access to our services.
This expansive presence guarantees that both employers and individuals can easily opt for hair follicle tests without inconvenience. Our widespread facilities reinforce the simplicity of maintaining safety standards wherever your operations or needs may lie.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Allen, KS, our hair follicle testing process is simple, efficient, and confidential.
Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring privacy and user-friendliness. Concerns about discretion are alleviated, making this a preferred choice for both employers and individuals who value ease of use and the protection of personal information during the drug testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our drug testing services in Allen, KS offer cost-effective pricing and quick turnaround times, ensuring excellent value.
Companies of all sizes benefit from competitive pricing structures, gaining high-quality results rapidly without financial strain. Our fast services provide peace of mind, affirming a commitment to both affordability and reliability in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Allen, KS guarantees rapid and precise results.
Employers rely on this method for its strong accuracy, recognizing its superior capability to identify substance abuse effectively. The processing times for hair tests are notably quick, providing timely results that reflect an individual’s substance use over an extended period, therefore meeting the reliability demands of both employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing for drug use ensures compliance and brings peace of mind to employers in Allen, KS.
By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, these tests reduce legal risks and enhance safety. Employers use this testing route knowing it upholds compliance, facilitates informed decisions, and affirms their commitment to a secure drug-free workplace, reducing associated liabilities.

Drug Testing Near Allen, KS

Wabaunsee, KS

Burlingame, KS

Plymouth, KS

Osage City, KS

Council Grove, KS

Barclay, KS

Emporia, KS

Reading, KS

Harveyville, KS

Eskridge, KS

Dunlap, KS

Americus, KS

Miller, KS

Bushong, KS

Admire, 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