Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Englevale, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting usage of drug and alcohol. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. If collected near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection timeline of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easily transported.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the recommended sample size for both screening and confirmation testing. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is advised. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in the lab processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into the lab's system. It involves ensuring that the sample has been properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening includes a preliminary check for substances of abuse. While it offers a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Upon a presumptively positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is used for Extraction. This process isolates drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive Screening results is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with their shorter detection period.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals patterns of drug use over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and differences in hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Stands Out in Englevale, KS
Contrasted with traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing delivers unparalleled detection capability and trustworthiness. It excels in identifying drug use over extended periods, providing comprehensive insight that standard urine testing struggles to achieve. This ensures superior accuracy and reliability in monitoring substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Unmatched Detection Span in Englevale, KS
Englevale’s hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection window of up to 90 days. This broad timespan enables employers to gain thorough insights into the substance use patterns of candidates or current staff, offering more informed perspectives on their drug history compared to conventional testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Unquestionable Results in Englevale, KS
Hair follicle tests are significantly resistant to sample tampering, ensuring the authenticity of the results. This testing method acts as a reliable barrier against sample adulteration, offering confidence in the validity of the data acquired and maintaining high standards of integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Access in Englevale, KS
With a network of nationwide testing centers, our service supports easy and efficient access to testing facilities. Locations in and around Englevale provide quick and hassle-free options for those seeking reliable drug testing services, ensuring seamless accessibility for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplified and Confidential Testing in Englevale, KS
The testing process is straightforward and discreet, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, supporting user comfort and security throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Quick Turnaround in Englevale, KS
We offer competitive pricing paired with rapid turnaround times, delivering exceptional value and peace of mind to businesses of all sizes. Our cost-effective rates do not compromise on quality or speed, making us a preferred choice for many organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Testing in Englevale, KS
Hair follicle drug tests in Englevale boast rapid and dependable results. With high precision in substance detection, these tests deliver quick outcomes without compromising on accuracy. Compelling results are accessible promptly, aiding organizations and individuals in making informed decisions based on reliable data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Safety in Englevale, KS
Incorporating hair follicle testing in the workplace supports adherence to drug-free policies while minimizing legal troubles. This method enhances safety and compliance, giving employers in Englevale peace of mind and aiding in maintaining a secure and healthy working environment.

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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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