Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Inman, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended overview of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the thread of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, it can reveal up to a 3-month timeline for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimum amount for both initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or when conducting tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is missing, an equal portion of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary components involved in analyzing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial setup of a sample within the laboratory’s database. This includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary examination for substance misuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to hold up legally. All samples appearing positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the toughest method to conduct.

Confirmation of any screening positive is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptive positive undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection scope.
• Challenging to deceive: It's notably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, leading to more precise results.
• Offers usage history: It reveals a trend of substance use over time, unlike recent-only usage detection.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Substances become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other methods.
• Result discrepancies: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the levels of drug metabolites found in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Inman, KS demonstrates superiority over urine tests in multiple ways. Its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability stand out.

• Longer detection window compared to urine tests.
• Greater precision and less prone to tampering.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Inman, KS, drug use detection extends back up to 90 days. Employers gain a comprehensive view of substance history.

• Offers extensive historical data on drug use.
• Beneficial for long-term evaluation of substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Inman, KS provide a robust guard against tampering, ensuring sample integrity and trustworthy outcomes.

• Samples are harder to adulterate than urine.
• Observational collection process adds extra security.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers near Inman, KS offers unmatched convenience. Nationwide availability ensures swift, uncomplicated access for all testing needs.

• Multiple local spots available.
• Easy and hassle-free testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Inman, KS is straightforward and confidential, prioritizing user ease and privacy protection.

• Simple steps from testing to results.
• Ensures complete confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Inman, KS, enjoy competitive pricing for hair follicle testing alongside rapid turnover, offering exceptional value for businesses both large and small.

• Affordable rates enhancing value proposition.
• Fast processing times ensuring swift results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers fast, accurate, and reliable results in Inman, KS. Its precision helps in efficiently identifying substance use.

• The accuracy of hair tests surpasses traditional methods.
• Quick processing and results delivery ensure timely assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Inman, KS, using hair follicle tests secures adherence to drug-free policies, minimizing legal exposure and ensuring safer workplaces.

• Supports compliance with regulatory guidelines.
• Reduces employer liability and enhances safety.

Drug Testing Near Inman, KS

Nickerson, KS

Little River, KS

South Hutchinson, KS

Galva, KS

Burrton, KS

Willowbrook, KS

Hutchinson, KS

Moundridge, KS

Windom, KS

McPherson, KS

Conway, KS

Elyria, KS

Medora, KS

Buhler, 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