Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Belmont, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair offers a comprehensive history of drug and alcohol consumption by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When samples are taken from near the scalp, they can reveal a drug and alcohol usage history spanning up to three months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, it’s somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

For an optimal sample used in screening and confirmatory testing, a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) is ideal as it provides about 100mg of hair. For EtG tests or panels greater than 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. Checking the sample weight on a jeweler's scale is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be substituted. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair; body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for processing a drug test result encompasses four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step in which a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. This stage includes ensuring proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any manual data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

During Screening, samples undergo a preliminary check for drug usage. Though Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug consumption in most samples, legally valid results require a confirmed positive screen. All presumptive positive samples from Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Presumptive positive results in the Screening stage prompt the extraction of more hair from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Drugs are extracted at a lower concentration from hair than from other sources such as urine or oral fluid, making hair drug testing notably complex compared to other methods.

Positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives are appropriately washed before Confirmation. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to cheat, increasing the credibility of results.
• Provides a usage pattern: Offers insights into drug usage over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: A 5-7 day period is required before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Factors such as hair color and individual growth variations may influence metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself, not the underlying follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing hair and urine tests in Belmont, KS reveals why hair testing excels. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, capturing a wider substance history, proving immensely reliable.

Employers favor hair testing for its extended timeline, unlike urine tests which are limited to recent usage.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Belmont, KS benefit from hair follicle testing's extensive detection window. The ability to trace substance use over the past 90 days provides a holistic view of an employee's history.

This advantage allows for vigilant monitoring, ensuring only trusted individuals are part of the workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Belmont, KS relies on the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests to deter alteration attempts. This test fortifies integrity by ensuring collected samples remain genuine.

Such stringent measures safeguard the results, offering unassailable evidence of a person's substance use profile.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With standardized locations even in Belmont, KS, our nationwide testing centers allow effortless access to hair testing services, removing logistical concerns for individuals and employers alike.

Convenience is key, providing quick and hassle-free solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Belmont, KS, our testing process maintains simplicity and confidentiality. Clients can order, sample, and receive results easily while privacy is secured.

This straightforward approach addresses and alleviates concerns, promising a seamless experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Belmont, KS enjoys our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, offering exceptional value for companies large and small.

Attractive pricing coupled with efficient service ensures clients receive top-notch satisfaction and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Belmont, KS, hair follicle drug tests guarantee fast, accurate results, unveiling substance use with unmatched precision. Their efficiency in detecting a wide range of substances rapidly exceeds that of other tests.

The ability to deliver reliable outcomes promptly makes hair testing invaluable for employers seeking to maintain workplace standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Belmont, KS find peace with hair testing as it guarantees compliance with drug-free policies. Such measures reduce legal risks and promote a safer work environment.

By using advanced testing methods, organizations can confidently uphold their standards and responsibilities.

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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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