Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Northbranch, KS

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows, hair offers a prolonged account of alcohol and drug use. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol presence spanning up to approximately 90 days. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch hair sample, composed of approximately 200 strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification purposes. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Assessing the weight of the sample using a jeweler’s scale is advisable. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. The term head hair refers solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

There are four principal stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into the laboratory's system. This phase includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not handled by an electronic custody log.

Screening involves a preliminary scan for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive result demands confirmation to be considered valid in legal cases. Any samples with presumptively positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary validation.

Should a sample give a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a notably lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation, if required. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection duration: Hair drug testing can uncover drug consumption for up to 90 days, as opposed to the shorter detection duration of urine testing.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Tracks historical usage: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent intake: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis evaluates the hair strand itself rather than the subscalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Northbranch, KS
When comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests, the former emerges superior due to its comprehensive detection ability and consistency. Unlike urine testing, hair testing can uncover substance use over a broader timeframe, magnifying detection accuracy and reliability. This makes it an appealing option for entities needing definitive evidence of long-term drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Northbranch, KS
One of the remarkable benefits of hair follicle testing is its prolonged detection period, reaching up to 90 days, offering a thorough inspection of any substance usage. This extensive window allows employers to achieve a complete understanding of an individual’s history, guiding better hiring and retention decisions through credible substance monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Northbranch, KS
Hair follicle tests boast robust resistance against tampering, ensuring authenticity and validity of results. Unlike other test methods, hair samples are securely managed, minimizing alteration risks. As a result, Accredited Drug Testing provides trustworthy results, delivering peace of mind to clients seeking indisputable evaluations of potential substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Northbranch, KS
With an extensive network, reaching testing facilities is seamless, thanks to our widespread presence across the nation. This readiness ensures quick, straightforward, and stress-free access to hair follicle testing services. In Northbranch and beyond, clients benefit from the convenience and efficiency of our strategically positioned centers.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Northbranch, KS
Accredited Drug Testing values privacy, promoting a discreet, user-friendly procedure. From order placement to sample collection and results, confidentiality is a priority. Clients are ensured a streamlined, private experience, underlining our dedication to maintaining customer trust and satisfaction throughout the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Northbranch, KS
Our competitive pricing paired with swift result processing assures clients of top-notch value. Serving companies of all scopes, these economical rates and rapid turnaround times deliver excellent cost-effectiveness and dependable decision-making support, addressing diverse testing requirements efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Northbranch, KS
Hair follicle testing stands out for its rapidity and precision, ensuring results that are both fast and highly reliable. Substances are detected with unmatched accuracy, distinguishing this method from others. It captures a wide range of drugs, making it a preferred choice for thorough testing. With Accredited Drug Testing, clients can trust in the efficacy of their results, each time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Northbranch, KS
Employers can maintain legal compliance and foster safe work environments by adopting hair follicle testing. This approach minimizes potential legal complications by securing adherence to drug-free workplace policies. As a result, employers gain reassurance, knowing these tests help in upholding regulatory requirements efficiently and effectively.

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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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