Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Menlo, KS

What it is, How it works

The examination of hair is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. A sample taken near the scalp can offer a detection timeframe of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect amount for screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, expanded panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's best to weigh the amount of hair using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. In discussions about head hair, we're specifically referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in a lab consists of four critical stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the procedure of integrating a sample into a laboratory system. This procedure checks if the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, attaches a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional information not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening acts as an initial rapid assessment for drug usage. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a confirmed screening result is required for legal admissibility. Samples with positive preliminary findings during Screening require follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is withdrawn from the original specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples with presumptive positives go through a washing process before confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes auditing under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use extending up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Difficult to subvert: The complexity in cheating a hair test results in increased accuracy.
• Depicts usage trends: It reveals a history of drug use over time, not just recent incidents.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Detection of drugs in hair approximately requires 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Menlo, KS proves more advantageous than traditional urine tests. The enhanced accuracy and reliability of hair tests reveal a comprehensive picture of substance use. With a higher detection threshold and a longer detection window, hair tests clearly outshine their urine counterparts.

In comparing hair testing with urine testing, the superior detection accuracy of hair tests becomes evident. Their capability to pinpoint drug use makes them a preferred choice, offering an unmatched assessment of recent and past substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Menlo, KS offers an extensive detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days prior. This prolonged detection period provides employers with a thorough overview of an individual's substance use.

Employers in Menlo, KS benefit from the longer detection window of hair follicle tests, allowing them to evaluate an applicant's or employee's substance habits over a longer timeline. The ability to look back three months gives a comprehensive insight, enhancing decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Menlo, KS, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method for substance detection. The difficulty in altering hair samples compared to other testing methods ensures accurate and reliable results that remain uncontested.

Hair follicle testing minimizes opportunities for sample adulteration, making it a trusted choice. Its resistance to tampering means that the results obtained are both reliable and unquestionable, advocating its use for authentic drug testing solutions in Menlo, KS.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient locations in Menlo, KS and across the nation, accessing hair follicle testing is simple and hassle-free. Our widespread centers ensure that testing is only a step away, meeting the needs of businesses and individuals alike.

Our nationwide and local presence in Menlo, KS allows easy access to reliable hair follicle testing. By offering numerous testing sites, we provide effortless and efficient solutions for those seeking substance testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Menlo, KS residents can enjoy a straightforward and confidential hair follicle testing process. From ordering to results, each step respects privacy while maintaining ease of use, addressing any concerns over discretion.

The process for hair follicle testing in Menlo, KS is designed to be simple and confidential, ensuring that users feel secure and comfortable. With seamless ordering and receipt of results, this testing approach meets both privacy and convenience needs effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Menlo, KS, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitively priced hair follicle testing with rapid turnaround times. Our pricing structures deliver excellent value, meeting the budgetary needs of companies of varied sizes.

Affordable costs and swift results are key attributes of our hair follicle testing in Menlo, KS. Providing exceptional value while ensuring timely feedback, we cater to businesses of all scales, guaranteeing peace of mind and cost efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Menlo, KS, hair follicle testing stands out for its speed and accuracy. The method provides rapid yet precise detection of substance use, giving the user an edge over other testing techniques. Hair testing's ability to accurately identify substance presence makes it the go-to choice for those needing fast, reliable results.

The swift results obtained from hair follicle testing are ideal for employers and individuals seeking clarity. The test's precise nature ensures that any substance use is evidently detected, making it an indispensable tool for accurate drug testing in Menlo, KS.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Menlo, KS gain peace of mind and compliance by implementing hair follicle testing. These tests reinforce drug-free workplace policies, assisting in minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment.

With the adoption of hair follicle testing in Menlo, KS, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free policies, reducing potential liabilities. This method fosters a secure workplace, providing employers with confidence in their compliance measures.

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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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