Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Alma, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the layers of the developing hair shaft. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection span of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advisable. The sample should ideally be weighed on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. In reference to head hair, we only mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four pivotal stages in the laboratory procedure of drug test analysis: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into the laboratory systems. This process includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and entering any supplemental data absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening performs a preliminary inspection for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug usage in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to hold up in court. Samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate further Confirmation.

If a sample indicates a positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the collected sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

For Confirming any positive screening outcome, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies are utilized. All presumptively positive samples are rinsed as necessary prior to Confirmation. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the guidelines of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: The likelihood of cheating on a hair drug test is minimal, enhancing accuracy.
• Historical insight: Offers a timeline of drug use over time, rather than just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often carry a higher cost than other testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Variables such as hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing undeniably surpasses urine testing in Alma, KS due to its superior detection accuracy. Hair analysis traces substance use over extended periods, offering reliable assessments compared to conventional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, which only capture recent usage, hair testing provides a comprehensive look at an individual's drug history, ensuring employers receive more accurate results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Alma, KS grants employers a detailed account of an individual's drug use over three months. With an extended detection window, this method provides a more comprehensive overview of an employee's or applicant’s substance history, as opposed to the limited scope of other tests. This extended period offers insights that are crucial for making informed hiring or employment-related decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Alma, KS, hair follicle tests present an almost foolproof method to prevent sample manipulation. The risk of adulteration is considerably minimized due to the robust testing processes involved. This reliability reassures employers that the results they obtain are authentic and untampered, bringing added confidence in ensuring workplace safety and compliance with company policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing facilities nationwide and local locations in Alma, KS, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. Our broad network ensures hassle-free, rapid access wherever needed. Whether locally or across the country, our centers provide quick and unobtrusive testing options that cater to all geographical needs, enhancing accessibility for users.

Simple, Confidential Process

Alma, KS clients experience a straightforward and confidential procedure for hair follicle testing. The ordering, collection, and results process is designed to protect privacy, ensuring a smooth and private experience. By safeguarding client information and facilitating ease of use, concerns regarding confidentiality are effectively addressed, providing comfort to users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround, our hair follicle testing services in Alma, KS provide substantial value. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable costs, enabling them to maintain effective drug testing programs without financial strain. Quick processing times further enhance the service, ensuring timely access to important results and fostering informed decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Residents in Alma, KS benefit from the quick and precise outcomes of hair follicle drug tests. These exams are unparalleled in their ability to rapidly deliver accurate findings, making them ideal for detecting substance use in a swift manner. The high accuracy ensures that clients receive trustworthy data, allowing for informed decision-making based on clear and dependable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Alma, KS can achieve significant peace of mind through compliance with drug-free policies via hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal and safety risks, upholding regulations and ensuring a secure working environment. By enforcing drug-free policies, companies reinforce safety and decrease potential liabilities associated with substance abuse at work.

Drug Testing Near Alma, KS

St. Marys, KS

Saint Marys, KS

Louisville, KS

Rock Creek, KS

Alta Vista, KS

Belvue, KS

Maple Hill, KS

Eskridge, KS

St. George, KS

Wamego, KS

Volland, KS

Paxico, KS

Wabaunsee, KS

McFarland, 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