Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greenwich Heights, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a detailed history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When hair is taken close to the scalp, it can uncover alcohol and drug patterns for up to roughly 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample sized at 1.5 inches comprising about 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's diameter) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. It is advisable to use 150mg for tests that include EtG, add-ons, or exceed 10 panels. The quantity should be accurately measured on a jeweler’s scale. When scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. References to head hair mean only scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is first logged into the lab system. This encompasses verifying the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary, efficient way to identify drug abuse. Although it's cost-effective for excluding drug use among many samples, a positive outcome in Screening demands confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples that test positive in Screening require further verification.

Should a sample appear positive in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

A positive Screening result is confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples are cleansed before Confirmation as needed. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection duration: Hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection range.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly difficult, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Shows historical usage: It displays a timeline of drug consumption, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Lack of recent use detection: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although often dubbed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Greenwich Heights, KS
Hair follicle testing showcases superior advantages over traditional urine tests. With higher detection accuracy and reliability, this method gives employers a deeper insight into substance use over prolonged periods. Hair testing's longer results window and resistance to manipulation set it apart as the superior choice.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Greenwich Heights, KS
Hair follicle testing can identify drug use over a 90-day period, providing employers with an in-depth understanding of an individual's substance use history. This extended detection window allows for a thorough review of potential or current employees' histories, promoting informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Greenwich Heights, KS
Hair follicle tests present a significant advantage in reducing the possibilities of sample tampering. The method's robust nature ensures that results are reliable and can be trustfully used for decision-making, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Greenwich Heights, KS
Our expansive network of testing centers offers unparalleled accessibility to drug testing services, both nationwide and locally in Greenwich Heights, KS. This ease of access ensures a seamless and hassle-free experience for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Greenwich Heights, KS
The approach we take in handling drug tests is grounded in simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering, taking the test, and obtaining results is straightforward and secure, ensuring privacy and convenience for all involved throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Greenwich Heights, KS
Our drug testing services offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, providing top-tier value to businesses of any size. Fast, affordable services help companies maintain peace of mind without breaking their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Greenwich Heights, KS
The hair follicle drug testing methodologies in Greenwich Heights, KS offer stellar precision in detecting recent and past substance use. This high accuracy is achieved through advanced testing processes that are largely unaffected by other factors, ensuring that results are both fast and dependable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Greenwich Heights, KS
Implementing hair follicle drug testing aligns with maintaining a drug-free workplace, dramatically reducing legal risks associated with non-compliance. This method supports a safer work environment, thereby enhancing overall peace of mind for employers and employees 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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