Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashland, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair delivers a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers in the strands. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation as the main steps.

Accessioning refers to the first processing stage of a sample in a lab's system. This involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any additional data not available from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial prompt examination for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening need further confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection range.
• Hard to manipulate: It's challenging to circumvent a hair drug test, ensuring higher result accuracy.
• Sheds light on historical use: It offers a pattern of drug use over a duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to capture recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Aspects like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Ashland, KS offers superior benefits over urine testing, primarily in accuracy and reliability. The extended detection period is unmatched.

Compared to traditional methods, hair testing's ability to detect drug use over long durations means it's a step ahead, giving Ashland, KS residents more assurance.

Extended Detection Window

In Ashland, KS, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window up to 90 days. This wide range offers employers a thorough view of an individual’s substance use history.

The extensive timeframe for detection through hair tests benefits Ashland, KS organizations by providing a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Ashland, KS significantly reduces tampering risks. The method ensures the collected sample remains viable and credible.

Choosing hair follicle testing in Ashland, KS minimizes the chances of sample adulteration, giving employers and legal systems confidence in the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers available, Ashland, KS residents find convenience at our nationwide locations. Swift and uncomplicated testing processes meet the city's needs.

Access to hair follicle testing is hassle-free in Ashland, KS, given the extensive network of testing sites available nationwide and locally.

Simple, Confidential Process

Available throughout Ashland, KS, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring your privacy is upheld from order to result delivery.

The discreet nature of our services in Ashland, KS reassures individuals about the integrity and simplicity of the entire testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Ashland, KS, our competitively priced hair follicle testing offers businesses a cost-effective solution, with rapid turnaround times ensuring efficient operations.

Our combination of affordability and speed in Ashland, KS ensures companies receive high-value services without compromising on quick delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests provide fast and accurate results, a key benefit for residents and employers in Ashland, KS. Their precision in detecting various substances ensures you're getting reliable information without delay.

The speed of obtaining reliable results from hair tests is unparalleled. This efficiency allows people in Ashland, KS to address substance use concerns promptly and effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ashland, KS benefit from hair follicle testing due to its compliance assurance with drug-free workplace policies, enhancing workplace safety and reducing legal risks.

Implementing hair testing provides peace of mind to Ashland, KS employers by ensuring adherence to their drug policies, protecting the business and its workers.

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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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