Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Everest, KS

What it is, How it works

Using hair testing has emerged as an effective way to identify the consumption of drugs and alcohol. The analysis of hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug consumption by entrapping biological markers in each strand’s fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use within an approximately three-month timeframe. The collection process is straightforward, the possibility of tampering is low, and shipment is convenient.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, composed of roughly 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, equates to 100mg of hair, suited for both screening and confirmation. For additional testing such as EtG and any tests involving more than 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a corresponding quantity of body hair may be used. “Head hair” specifies scalp hair exclusively. “Body hair” encompasses all other types (including facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary four steps in processing results for a drug test in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial intake of a specimen into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigns an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any other necessary details missing from an electronic chain of custody method.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most specimens, confirmation of positive results is required for legal proceedings. Any samples that preliminarily test positive in Screening must undergo a secondary validation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample to undergo Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a concentration significantly lower than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug testing as the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS processes. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before Confirmation, as needed. The entire path from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined in alignment with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing reveals drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Circumventing a hair drug test is notably challenging, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Reveals usage trends: It illustrates a timeline of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Detection of drugs in hair typically requires 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair pigmentation and personal hair growth variations can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is commonly used; however, the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair testing provides a superior detection capability over traditional urine tests in Everest, KS. With a detection span reaching up to 90 days, it gives a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use. The method offers enhanced accuracy and reduces cheating, ensuring compliance with regulations.

Extended Detection Window

Everest, KS employers benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window up to 90 days. This method provides a detailed overview of an individual's drug use history, crucial for assessing long-term habits. It offers more than a snapshot, further enhancing workplace safety strategies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug tests in Everest, KS, significantly reduces the risks associated with sample adulteration. Employers gain trust in the reliability of the results, essential for maintaining an uncompromised, drug-free environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount, and Everest, KS benefits from nationwide testing centers with local accessibility. This network ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free access to important drug testing services. The availability of centers facilitates smooth and efficient operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Everest, KS offers a simple and confidential drug testing process. From ordering to result retrieval, privacy and ease are prioritized, addressing any concerns of confidentiality and ensuring comfort throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and fast turnaround, Everest, KS caters to organizations seeking value and efficiency in drug testing services. Competitive structures ensure peace of mind for companies, getting accurate results promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Everest, KS, hair follicle tests are known for their speed and precision. Employers can rely on these tests for accurate substance detection, aiding in quick decision-making. The method stands out for delivering trustworthy results, instrumental in maintaining safety standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Everest, KS gain peace of mind by incorporating hair follicle tests into their drug-free policies. The compliance benefits minimize legal risks while promoting a safe, efficient workplace. This testing approach ensures alignment with regulatory standards.

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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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