Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Aurora, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a detailed chronicle of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair analysis can reveal alcohol and drug usage for a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A specimen of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, ideal for initial testing and verification. For purposes like EtG, supplementary tests, or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for accuracy is recommended. If scalp hair is not an option, an equal weight of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory workflow is divided into these four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial incorporation of the sample into the lab system. This ensures the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and fills in any data gaps not addressed by an electronic chain of custody.

During Screening, a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse is conducted. While it serves as an economical means to exclude drug intake for most samples, a positive finding needs confirmation for courtroom admissibility. Samples deemed presumptively positive at this stage necessitate subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample return a presumptive positive at the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in other testing methods (e.g., urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

For any positive results in screening, Confirmation is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive findings are cleansed before confirmation if required. This entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is vetted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can ascertain drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Reflects long-term patterns: It can highlight a drug use chronology over time, unlike measurements of immediate intake.

Limitations:

• No recent use detection: Drugs need approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Among various testing methods in Aurora, KS, hair tests provide distinct advantages over urine tests. Accurate and reliable, hair testing delivers results that offer a more comprehensive insight over time. One major benefit is the extended detection window, far surpassing what urine tests can offer.

Additionally, the incidence of tampering or sample substitution, frequently an issue for urine samples, is greatly minimized. This advantage ensures trustworthy results that significantly enhance detection quality and reliability compared to urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Aurora, KS offers an extended detection window, tracing substance use up to 90 days. This long-term view into a person's history is invaluable for employers making hiring decisions. It's crucial in avoiding potential workplace issues related to drug use.

Employers benefit from this comprehensive perspective, enabling smart and safe hiring practices. The robust detection capabilities of hair testing underscore its value and efficacy in maintaining workplace integrity and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Within Aurora, KS, hair follicle tests exemplify a tamper-resistant testing method. The unique nature of sample collection inherently reduces risks associated with adulteration or substitution, ensuring reliable outcomes. The challenge of cheating a hair test is significant, making it a preferred choice for organizations prioritizing integrity.

Employers gain the assurance of dependable results, protecting the integrity of their staffing decisions. This feature is paramount in sectors mandating strict adherence to drug-use policies. Employing such methods ensures sustainable employee environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with our widespread testing locations, including local accessibility within Aurora, KS. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that services are readily available, minimizing the hassle often associated with obtaining a test. Nationwide centers afford easy and quick testing services, emphasizing client convenience.

Whether close by or across the country, our facilities are equipped to handle testing promptly and efficiently. By offering versatile locations, we cater to diverse client needs, reflecting a commitment to accessible and effective drug-testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Aurora, KS is both simple and confidential, respecting client privacy. From ordering a test to collecting samples and obtaining results, each step is streamlined and user-friendly. The emphasis on confidentiality ensures that personal data remains protected throughout the process.

Employers and individuals appreciate the ease of procedure and prompt disclosure of results. This results in a valuable service catering to those valuing discretion and responsiveness, ensuring satisfaction with every testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and rapid results, our services in Aurora, KS offer a cost-effective option for drug testing. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from our value-driven pricing structure paired with a fast turnaround, ensuring timely information without breaking the budget.

Organizations seeking affordable yet high-quality drug-testing solutions find great benefit in our services. Offering excellent value, these tests uphold high standards of accuracy while remaining accessible financially.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Aurora, KS, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, precise, and dependable results. Primarily appreciated for their accuracy in detecting a wide array of substances, these tests provide unmatched precision. The ability to deliver conclusive and speedy outcomes positions them as superior to many traditional testing methods.

Employers value these tests for their quick turnaround, which ensures that they can take prompt action on results. Rapid and reliable, this testing method stands out, giving peace of mind to organizations requiring thorough drug testing processes. Overall, it exemplifies a model of efficiency.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Aurora, KS aids employers in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. It decreases potential legal risks while fostering a safer work atmosphere. Compliance with such policies is heightened, providing peace of mind for business owners and HR managers alike.

The assuredness in knowing that benchmark testing protocols are in place allows companies to focus more on core operations without lingering concerns about illicit substance use among personnel, thereby enhancing organizational productivity.

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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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