Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Andover, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now perceived as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month time frame of alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is easy, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, and higher than 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It is advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent portion of body hair can be taken. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test sample involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial input of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and covers any extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples identified as presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are withdrawn from hair at remarkably low concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive in the screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples which are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation, as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation receives a review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair label and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are hard to cheat, ensuring higher accuracy in test results.
• Gives historical insight: It outlines a pattern of drug use over time instead of merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• High cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Sensitivity to variances: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels within the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is done on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For residents of Andover, KS, opting for hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing is advantageous. Unlike traditional methods, hair follicle analysis offers superior detection accuracy. The extended detection period and reliability of hair tests make them a favorable choice, especially for those prioritizing accurate substance detection.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Andover, KS, offers an extended detection window, capable of revealing substance use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeline allows employers to gain a more in-depth understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance use history, providing invaluable insights into long-term drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Andover, KS, hair follicle tests offer a robust defense against sample tampering. This testing method significantly reduces the chances of adulteration, ensuring that outcomes are reliable and unquestionable. Choosing hair tests means opting for security and integrity in test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access in Andover, KS, with nationwide testing centers available. Our network allows for quick, easy, and hassle-free testing, ensuring that necessary services are always within reach for individuals seeking testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Andover, KS is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are streamlined to protect privacy and ease of use. This ensures concerns about confidentiality and convenience are thoroughly addressed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Andover, KS, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our affordable pricing structure ensures that companies of all sizes receive exceptional value and peace of mind, making our services accessible and budget-friendly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Andover, KS, precision and speed characterize hair follicle drug tests. These assessments are lauded for their high accuracy and rapid results, making them preferable for detecting substance use. The meticulous nature of hair tests ensures that results are both dependable and swift, aligning with the needs of those seeking reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Andover, KS can find compliance and tranquility through hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks, and bolstering workplace safety. It offers peace of mind by aligning with the regulatory standards and safeguarding the work environment.

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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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