Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Lancaster, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through capturing biomarkers in the strands, hair retains a long-term record of substance use. When hair samples are collected near the scalp, they can reveal alcohol and drug use over a detection window of up to three months. Collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in size) from the scalp yields approximately 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. Should scalp hair not be available, an equal quantity of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four fundamental steps in lab processing for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's framework. This step includes checking the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and finalizing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary inspection for substances of abuse. Although it efficiently dismisses drug presence in most samples, a positive result in Screening must be validated for court acceptability. Thus, presumptive positive results proceed to secondary confirmation.

For samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. This step involves retrieving substances from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any presumptive positive results follows through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples flagged as positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process, covering Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and an ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation review.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug screening allows for detecting substance use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, ensuring result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It captures patterns of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than other testing methods.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the scalp's follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In New Lancaster, KS, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy.
Employers seeking reliable substance screening benefit greatly from hair tests' long-term detection ability.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests provide a comprehensive history of drug usage.
This gives employers a clearer, more faithful account of an individual's substance use across a more extended period.

Extended Detection Window

New Lancaster, KS, businesses benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window.
With the capacity to identify drug usage dating back up to 90 days, this method delivers a thorough substance history.

Hair testing's long detection period offers employers a significant advantage, enabling a deeper understanding of applicants' or employees' past substance use activities.
This results in more informed and confident hiring or monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in New Lancaster, KS, is a notably tamper-resistant method.
It significantly minimizes the risk of sample manipulation, thereby ensuring dependable and trustworthy results.

This superiority in preventing adulteration makes hair testing a preferred choice for many organizations.
By choosing this method, businesses can rest assured of obtaining genuine and accurate outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to testing facilities in New Lancaster, KS, and nationwide.
Our extensive network guarantees quick and hassle-free testing services across numerous locations.

Whether local or elsewhere in the country, our testing centers are equipped to offer fast and efficient service.
This widespread availability supports clients needing reliable testing without unnecessary travel or delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in New Lancaster, KS, is both simple and confidential.
From ordering a test to receiving the results, each step prioritizes privacy and ease of use.

Clients benefit from a streamlined experience that respects their confidentiality while delivering accurate outcomes.
The straightforward approach encourages participation and assures users of their data's security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in New Lancaster, KS, emphasizes affordable pricing and quick turnarounds.
Our cost-effective structures provide excellent value, catering to companies of varying budgets.

By combining competitive pricing with speedy results, we ensure outstanding service and peace of mind
Organizations can rely on us for efficient testing without significant cost implications.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In New Lancaster, KS, hair follicle drug tests stand out with their remarkable speed and precision.
These tests swiftly identify substance use while maintaining high accuracy, ensuring timely and reliable outcomes for individuals and organizations alike.

Unlike other methods, hair testing provides fast turnaround times without compromising on accuracy.
This makes them an ideal solution for situations demanding quick and precise drug detection results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in New Lancaster, KS, achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing.
This method upholds workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety.

Hair testing ensures that businesses meet necessary drug testing standards.
By opting for this method, organizations safeguard themselves from potential legal pitfalls while promoting a safe working environment.

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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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