Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greeley, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture long-term evidence of alcohol and drug intake by holding biomarkers in the fiber itself. Collected near the scalp, hair samples offer an approximate 3-month detection span for various substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch sample containing around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) next to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, deemed the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it's advisable to collect 150mg. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair could be used. When we mention head hair, we imply scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where the sample is processed into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped properly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any remaining data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary check for substance abuse. While cost-effective for eliminating drug use suspicion in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is essential for legal admissibility. Samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

For samples presumed positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the initial batch and readied for Extraction, wherein substances are drawn from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or saliva), accounting for the complexity in hair drug analysis.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples get washed pre-confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Lengthy detection period: Hair drug tests detect consumption up to 90 days, unlike the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: Falsifying a hair drug test is incredibly difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Supplies historical insights: Offers an overview of long-term drug usage patterns, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Inability to capture recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variable results: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Despite being termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Advantages of hair follicle testing in Greeley, KS extend beyond conventional methods. Primarily, hair testing ensures superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests. The extended detection period of hair tests makes them more reliable for discerning long-term substance use patterns.

Reliability and precision make hair follicle testing the preferred choice for employers and professionals. While urine tests can sometimes be deceiving, hair tests present a comprehensive picture of substance usage, assuring employers of dependable and precise results.

Extended Detection Window

One significant advantage of hair follicle drug testing in Greeley, KS is its extended detection window. Unlike other testing methods, hair analysis can trace drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a wider scope of historical data on an applicant's or employee's substance habits.

This prolonged detection period is invaluable for employers aiming to evaluate long-term compliance with drug-free policies. By screening for substances over months instead of days, hair testing provides an in-depth view of potential substance misuse, offering peace of mind in employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Greeley, KS significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, setting itself apart from other testing methods. The integrity of the hair sample remains unaltered, ensuring the reliability of the results and reducing instances of dubious outcomes.

This testing method provides unquestionable results, making it a preferred choice for organizations that require secure and tamper-resistant screening. Employers benefit from the peace of mind that comes with knowing the drug test results are genuine and reflective of true drug use behaviors.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a network of convenient testing locations nationwide, including Greeley, KS, Accredited Drug Testing ensures quick and hassle-free access to drug screening services. Our centers are strategically located to provide fast and easy testing options for individuals and organizations alike.

Local testing facilities offer the accessible resources needed to address all testing requirements efficiently. The widespread availability of our centers results in streamlined coordination for both employers and test takers, making our services effortlessly obtainable.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing in Greeley, KS prioritizes a simple, confidential process for drug testing. From placing an order to receiving results, every step is designed to be user-friendly, emphasizing privacy and ease of access for all parties involved.

The confidential nature of hair follicle testing ensures individuals' privacy is maintained throughout the testing procedure. Our streamlined process provides users with the reassurance of discreet handling of personal data, enhancing the overall testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Greeley, KS delivers exceptional value. Our cost-effective services cater to companies of all sizes, without compromising the quality and reliability of the results provided.

The efficiency of our testing process enables fast results, crucial for timely decision-making. Offering affordable solutions, we ensure organizations can implement effective drug-free policies without stretching their budgets, delivering both fiscal prudence and safety assurance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Greeley, KS offer speed and precision, making them highly effective in identifying substance use. The testing process is streamlined, delivering rapid results without compromising on accuracy. This efficiency ensures that individuals and organizations receive reliable outcomes that aid in informed decision-making.

The accuracy of hair testing is unparalleled, with the ability to detect a wider range of substances compared to urine tests. This method provides fast, dependable results that reflect an individual's drug use history accurately, ensuring greater confidence in the findings for both testers and those being tested.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Greeley, KS supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind to employers. By reducing the risk of drug use in the workplace, companies enhance both safety and productivity, adhering to legal and ethical standards.

Through reliable hair follicle testing, businesses can ensure they meet workplace regulations, ultimately minimizing potential legal liabilities. This proactive approach fosters a safer, more responsible work environment, benefiting employees and management alike.

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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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