Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hoisington, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is acknowledged as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as the hair grows. When collected proximal to the scalp, hair provides an assessment window of roughly 3 months for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and conveniently shipped.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be sourced. When we refer to head hair, it specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is divided into four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory's workflow. It includes confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. It is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen requires confirmation to be courtroom admissible. Samples appearing positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If Screening tentatively indicates a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted at concentrations considerably lower than those utilized in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo a cleaning process before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection window.
• Impossibility of deception: It's notably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Provision of historical trends: It can chart a timeline of drug usage, covering periods rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• High cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair pigmentation and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superior Detection Over Urine Tests — In Hoisington, KS, hair follicle testing provides a distinct advantage over traditional urine tests. While urine tests are common, hair analyses detect substances over a much longer timeframe.

Hair testing in Hoisington not only pierces through recent usage but also charts patterns of drug use or exposure. This long-lasting detection makes it superior in identifying habitual consumption.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window — One of the critical advantages of hair follicle testing is its extensive detection period, lasting up to 90 days. This feature allows employers in Hoisington, KS, to gain a deep insight into an individual's substance history.

Offering a broad view of drug use patterns, this method equips employers with a comprehensive narrative of an applicant or employee, fostering informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Resistant — Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, making them a preferred choice across Hoisington, KS. Their design ensures that results remain reliable and are nearly impossible to adulterate.

Incorporating stringent collection measures, these tests provide peace of mind to employers and institutions seeking dependable records of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Nationwide Locations — Accredited Drug Testing’s widespread network ensures that individuals in Hoisington, KS, and beyond have easy access to hair follicle testing services.

With centers located conveniently throughout the nation, the testing process becomes straightforward, offering users a seamless experience with minimal disruption to their daily lives.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Private — Our simple, confidential hair follicle testing process in Hoisington, KS, ensures that privacy concerns are respected. From test ordering to result delivery, our system is crafted for discretion and ease.

Clients value the straightforward process that balances simplicity with thoroughness, ensuring they receive accurate results without hassle.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Quick Returns — Offering competitive pricing paired with speedy result outputs, our services in Hoisington, KS, deliver exceptional value for organizations of any size.

This combination of affordability and rapid turnaround solidifies customer satisfaction, making our testing services a prudent choice for fiscal and administrative efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Rapid, Dependable, and Accurate — Hair follicle drug testing in Hoisington, KS, stands out for its precision and speed. These tests are capable of identifying a broad range of substances, offering reliable results that support sound decision-making.

Employers and individuals alike appreciate the high accuracy of hair follicle tests. This efficient testing approach ensures a comprehensive assessment of substance use, bolstering confidence in its findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance — Utilizing hair follicle testing enables Hoisington, KS employers to adhere to drug-free workplace policies with ease. This approach aids in reducing legal liabilities associated with drug use.

Implementing these tests enhances workplace safety and assures employers that their staff abide by established substance use guidelines, thereby promoting peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Hoisington, KS

Bushton, KS

Holyrood, KS

Pawnee Rock, KS

Dundee, KS

Ellinwood, KS

Otis, KS

Claflin, KS

Albert, KS

Hitschmann, KS

Galatia, KS

Great Bend, KS

Odin, KS

Heizer, KS

Susank, KS

Olmitz, 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