Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Leona, KS

What it is, How it works

Regarded as an effective method, hair testing serves in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance use, capturing biomarkers within the strands as hair grows. When collected near the scalp, it presents up to a three-month detection period for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

By taking a 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) from the scalp, approximately 100mg of hair is acquired, which is optimal for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is recommended. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is advised. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes any other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The principal phases in laboratory processing of a drug test result comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step confirms that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, gives a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening initiates by swiftly checking for prohibited drugs. Though Screening is economical for eliminating drug use in most cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be considered valid in a legal context. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening require additional verification.

For samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underlining why hair drug testing ranks among the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo cleansing prior to confirmation as necessary. The laboratory procedure encompassing from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation in conjunction with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests trace drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests detect drug use over a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, thereby ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insights: Provides drug usage patterns across time, not just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: A delay of approximately 5-7 days occurs before drugs become discernible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors including hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair strand instead of the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing in Leona, KS provides clear advantages over traditional urine testing. The detection window for hair testing is remarkably longer, offering insights into drug use histories that urine tests cannot match.

Hair tests are nearly impossible to manipulate, providing a level of accuracy and reliability that urine tests struggle to deliver. They offer peace of mind with their superior detection capabilities.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Leona, KS is a key advantage for employers. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can reveal drug use over a 90-day period, providing a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

This prolonged detection ability helps employers make informed hiring decisions by assessing an applicant's long-term drug use patterns, supporting a safer workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Leona, KS stands out for its tamper-resistant nature. The method significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, thereby ensuring trustworthy and unquestionable results.

Unlike other tests, hair samples are collected under strict observation, making it nearly impossible to alter or falsify results. This reliability is crucial for accurate drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations nationwide, with local options available in Leona, KS. Our testing centers provide easy and hassle-free access to drug testing services, making the process smooth for everyone.

Whether near or far, our extensive network ensures you have access to required testing facilities, reducing stress and providing efficient service without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Leona, KS is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, we prioritize privacy and ease of use for our clients.

Through secure methods and streamlined procedures, individuals can undergo testing without concerns over privacy breaches, ensuring a stress-free experience in obtaining necessary results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Leona, KS, hair follicle testing is not only accurate but also affordably priced. Our competitive pricing structures ensure that companies of all sizes receive excellent value without compromising on quality.

With fast turnaround times, businesses can quickly move forward with hiring or compliance procedures, gaining clarity and confidence in a cost-effective manner.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Leona, KS offer unmatched precision in drug detection, ensuring reliable results. These tests are designed to deliver quick and accurate insights into substance use, making them an ideal choice for timely and effective decision-making.

With advanced technology, hair testing identifies even trace amounts of drugs with high accuracy. This method guarantees confidence for employers and individuals seeking fast and reliable screening solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Leona, KS benefit from peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring workplace compliance with drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety.

Adapted for strict regulatory standards, hair testing helps maintain a drug-free environment, reinforcing a commitment to safety and compliance in the professional setting.

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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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