Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bel Aire, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective instrument for identifying substance use. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers roughly a 90-day detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising around 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal amount for examination and verification. For EtG, supplements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively refers to scalp hair, while body hair covers all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Synopsis

The four critical phases in the laboratory completion of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's system. This encompasses confirming the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial swift assessment for abusive substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be accepted in judicial proceedings. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

When a sample appears presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

Positive screening results are verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can reveal substance use up to 90 days, versus urine tests with a briefer detection duration.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Displays usage history: It can show a pattern of substance use over time, not merely recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify immediate use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug analyses are typically costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences may affect drug metabolites concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bel Aire, KS, hair follicle testing tops traditional urine tests due to exceptional detection accuracy and reliability.

• Longer detection window of up to 90 days
• Less susceptible to tampering
• Observed collection minimizes fraud risks

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair tests in Bel Aire, KS, offers immense benefits. With a 90-day detection period, employers receive a thorough look into substance history.

• Multiple substances detectable over months
• Reliable historical data supports decision making
• Useful for ongoing employment assessments

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Bel Aire, KS, hair follicle tests champion tamper-resistance. They substantially lower the chance of sample adulteration.

• Observed sampling reduces cheating risk
• No substitutes or additives compromise the sample
• Reliable results ensure integrity

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Experience convenience via nationwide centers, including Bel Aire, KS. Testing locations provide swift and straightforward services.

• Ample test sites for effortless scheduling
• Seamless local testing availability
• No need for travel, reducing expense and time

Simple, Confidential Process

With a focus on a simple, confidential process in Bel Aire, KS, privacy is paramount. Confidential, reliable testing ensures client comfort.

• Straightforward test ordering
• Discreet testing procedures
• Secure, private result delivery

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bel Aire, KS, affordable pricing and fast turnaround define our testing services. Competitive pricing structures make it feasible for businesses of all sizes.

• Cost-effective options ensure inclusivity
• Prompt results minimize waiting periods
• Value alongside reliable, quick testing

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Bel Aire, KS, provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. They are renowned for their high precision in detecting substance abuse, offering much-needed reliability.

• Quick processing and minimal waiting times
• High accuracy levels in substance detection
• Consistency in test results to minimize errors

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers value compliance and peace of mind from hair testing in Bel Aire, KS. Through maintaining a drug-free workplace, legal risks diminish and safety elevates.

• Adherence to robust drug policies
• Enhanced workplace atmosphere
• Risk management through reliable testing

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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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