Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Goddard, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a durable record of alcohol and other substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected close to the scalp, hair can provide up to approximately a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is uncomplicated to gather, relatively difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses that exceed 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We recommend weighing the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be accessed, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation constitute the four principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This includes verifying that the sample was sealed and shipped properly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial quick check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective way to rule out drug usage on the majority of samples, a positive screen needs to be confirmed to be admissible in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening do require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most difficult methodology to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests detect drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating on a hair drug test is very difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative methods.
• Variations in results: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Goddard, KS, the benefits are clear. Hair testing is vastly superior in accuracy, reducing false positives and negatives. This method surpasses urine tests in reliability, making it the preferred option for organizations seeking thorough and trustworthy drug screening results. Its extensive detection window further solidifies its advantages.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window in Goddard, KS, capturing drug use over as long as 90 days. This thorough overview provides employers with a detailed view of an individual’s substance history, helping ensure informed hiring decisions. This extended period stands out compared to the shorter detection spans of alternative methods, giving a clearer picture of ongoing behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Goddard, KS, the hair follicle test is known for its tamper-resistant methodology. With these tests, the risks of sample adulteration significantly decrease, resulting in dependable and indisputable outcomes. The highly monitored sample collection process ensures integrity, fostering trust in the results provided by this advanced testing method.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide and local testing sites in Goddard, KS, Accredited Drug Testing ensures a seamless testing experience. Accessibility is key; our extensive network of centers makes scheduling a test convenient and efficient. Employers and individuals benefit from quick and accessible service, enhancing the ease and efficiency of the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process in Goddard, KS, offers a simple and confidential approach. From ordering to the test itself and receiving results, every step respects privacy and ensures ease of use. This confidential process caters to individuals and organizations mindful of privacy, simplifying drug testing while maintaining discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Goddard, KS, provides affordable services with quick turnaround. With competitive pricing models, we deliver high value, accommodating the needs of businesses of all sizes. Our swift service ensures timely results, giving companies the confidence they need in their drug testing programs without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Goddard, KS, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. Recognized for their precision, these tests provide a prompt assessment of substance use, ensuring employers and individuals receive the insights they need without delay. Their high sensitivity and ability to detect various substances make them a top choice for effective drug screening, delivering peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Goddard, KS, gain peace of mind and compliance with hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies. These tests mitigate legal risks and enhance workplace safety by offering an unyielding approach to substance monitoring. Maintaining a drug-free environment becomes an easier task, providing security for both employer and employees alike.

Drug Testing Near Goddard, KS

Cheney, KS

Clearwater, KS

Maize, KS

Saint Paul, KS

Andale, KS

Colwich, KS

Schulte, KS

Garden Plain, KS

Saint Marks, KS

Attica, KS

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews