Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Moundridge, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window for up to roughly three months for alcohol and various drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. We advise measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equal volume of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we are exclusively referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Workflow Summary

The four primary steps in laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial sample integration into a lab's system. This process verifies the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for court admissibility. Presumptive positive samples in Screening do need secondary confirmation.

When a sample is tentatively positive at the Screening stage, further hair is taken from the original sample for preparation in Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of positive screenings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection timeframe: Hair tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited window.
• Hard to deceive: Hair drug tests are hard to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Retrieves historical patterns: It can illustrate drug usage trends over time, not just immediate usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of identifying recent consumption: Drugs become traceable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing usually costs more than alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the examination itself focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Moundridge, KS, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests, providing unbeatable detection accuracy and reliability in drug screening.

Benefits of Hair Testing:

• Longer detection window, capturing substance use up to 90 days.
• Reduces sample tampering risk, offering more credible results.
• Less susceptible to adulteration than urine tests, ensuring test integrity.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Moundridge, KS, offers an unparalleled detection window of up to 90 days for drug use.

This extensive period provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, allowing for informed decision-making.

Such a wide detection range is invaluable for verifying applicant or employee drug habits, giving companies increased assurance and reliability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Moundridge, KS, significantly minimizes tampering risks, offering dependable and meaningful results.
Unlike other methods, it's nearly impossible to alter or contaminate samples, improving test trustworthiness.

These tests ensure integrity by effectively preventing any sample adulteration, establishing them as an essential choice for honest and reliable screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Discover the convenience of our nationwide drug testing locations, including Moundridge, KS.
With local and nationwide centers, our services offer quick, easy access to drug testing anywhere you are.

These expansive locations simplify obtaining tests, ensuring hassle-free and prompt testing no matter your location or circumstances.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing in Moundridge, KS, prides itself on a straightforward, confidential process for ordering and obtaining test results.
Client privacy remains paramount, allowing users to experience discreet testing and results delivery.

With a simplistic ordering system, customers encounter a seamless journey from scheduling to receiving outcomes, leaving no room for uncertainty.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures, our services in Moundridge, KS, offer excellent value for all business sizes.
Combine affordability with swift turnaround times to achieve peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Affordable rates guarantee fast, responsive service, providing cost-effective solutions for all drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Moundridge, KS, are unparalleled. Its design ensures the accurate detection of substance use within a short time frame.
The high accuracy of hair testing originates from a meticulous process that leaves little room for error, thus providing reliable results swiftly.

This cutting-edge technique quickly identifies drug use patterns, making it a preferred choice for many employers seeking trustworthy results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Moundridge, KS, employers, hair follicle testing assures compliance with workplace drug policies, reducing legal risks.
By fostering a safer workplace, these tests facilitate peace of mind through adherence to drug-free regulations.

Such tests safeguard against potential litigation, bolstering workplace safety and minimizing drug use incidents.

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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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