Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Byers, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly valued as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair can capture a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. A sample collected near the scalp can offer up to a roughly 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, remains comparatively challenging to tamper with, and is convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing about 200 hair strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, serving as the ideal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or when testing exceeds 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair might be gathered. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair alone. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary four stages involved in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory's workflow. This step includes verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid analysis for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples presumed positive during Screening require follow-up confirmation.

If a sample appears presumptively positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), lending hair drug screening to be the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing prior to confirmation if required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which feature a limited detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: It is extremely challenging to adulterate a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides usage history: It supplies a pattern of drug use across a duration, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Incapability to detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering drug testing options in Byers, KS, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine tests. The superior detection accuracy and reliability offered by hair testing give it the upper hand.

Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a longer detection window and are less easy to tamper with. These benefits make hair testing the preferred choice for comprehensive drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an extensive detection window, hair follicle testing in Byers, KS, provides employers with a thorough overview of substance use, spanning up to 90 days.

This prolonged detection period grants companies a clearer understanding of an applicant or current employee's drug history, enabling better decision-making and fostering a safe workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Byers, KS, stands apart with its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests offer results that are highly resistant to sample adulteration.

This reliability assures that the outcomes of the tests are unquestionable, maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the process for all concerned parties.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide reach, including local centers in Byers, KS, Accredited Drug Testing provides accessible hair testing services.

Whether in a bustling city or a small town, our wide-ranging locations ensure that clients benefit from quick and hassle-free testing at a site nearest to them, making the testing process more efficient and user-friendly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing in Byers, KS, emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality in its testing process. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy.

Clients find peace of mind knowing that their information is protected, and the procedure is straightforward, eliminating concerns over complexity or exposure of personal data.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Byers, KS, we strive to offer competitive pricing structures, making hair follicle testing affordable for companies of all sizes.

Paired with fast turnaround times, our service guarantees excellent value, providing companies the assurance of timely, accurate results without financial strain, enhancing peace of mind in the process.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Byers, KS, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with precision and speed. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use, providing rapid results that stakeholders can trust.

Employers and individuals alike appreciate the streamlined process that delivers fast, reliable outcomes, ensuring timely and informed decision-making capabilities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

The use of hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies in Byers, KS. By adhering to stringent testing measures, employers reduce legal risks and bolster workplace safety.

Committing to such testing offers peace of mind as businesses ensure a safe, compliant work environment for all employees, enhancing overall workplace harmony.

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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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