Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ford, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of drug and alcohol intake by embedding biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively tough to alter, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for examination and validation. For EtG tests, additional assessments, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the hair using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in a laboratory's drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory's records. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing required data entry that isn't covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening is a preliminary basic check for illicit substance use. While an efficient method to disregard substance use for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for judicial acceptance. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In cases where a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample and made ready for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from the hair at significantly lower levels than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screen results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptively positive samples undergo cleaning before confirmation if needed. The overall lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests detect substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a brief detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Tampering with a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, boosting result accuracy.
• Shows usage history: It can trace a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Detection in hair requires approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the examination actually focuses on the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is proving superior to urine tests in Ford, KS due to its remarkable detection accuracy. The hair test offers improved reliability by identifying substances long after usage, making it a worthwhile alternative to traditional urine tests which may miss recent or infrequent drug use.

Extended Detection Window

In Ford, KS, hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days prior. This capability offers employers a thorough insight into an applicant or employee's substance use over time. It surpasses the capabilities of other testing methods with its ability to chart long-term history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Ford, KS, makes them highly reliable. By significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests deliver trustworthy and indisputable results, flying above the concerns often associated with other specimen-based testing

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Ford, KS boasts convenient testing locations that are part of a larger national network, providing easy and quick access for individuals requiring drug testing. The reach of these centers means hassle-free testing services, available locally and nationwide, making them ideal for busy professionals and companies.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ford, KS, the process of hair follicle testing is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, clients can expect a seamless experience that respects privacy while offering ease of use, addressing common concerns regarding testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Ford, KS benefits from affordable hair follicle testing with quick turnaround times, providing excellent value for companies of all sizes. The competitive pricing ensures businesses can maintain their drug-free policies without compromising on budget, simultaneously ensuring fast access to reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle testing make it a preferred choice in Ford, KS. These tests boast remarkable accuracy in identifying drug use, allowing for fast, reliable outcomes. With advanced methodologies, hair testing delivers not just timely results, but ensures high dependability that is unmatched by traditional testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ford, KS can find peace of mind using hair follicle testing, as it ensures adherence to drug-free work policies. This method reduces potential legal risks while enhancing workplace safety by securing compliance in a straightforward manner.

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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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