Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plains, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use by capturing markers within the growing hair fiber. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, the sample is tough to tamper with, and it is conveniently shipped.

A 1.5-inch section containing approximately 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of sample is suggested. Measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale is advised. If scalp hair can't be provided, a similar volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other hair types (like facial and axillary).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample in a laboratory system. This step confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents the initial swift spot-check for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective approach to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court validity. Presumptively positive samples in screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to alternate methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), hence why hair drug testing stands as the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening is done with methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a briefer detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Reflects historical usage: It reveals a timeline of drug use over a duration instead of only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Plains, KS offers clear advantages over traditional urine testing. Hair testing provides unmatched detection accuracy and is reliable for revealing long-term substance use. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis captures a 90-day profile, catering to businesses and legal situations that require a thorough drug history.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Plains, KS, employers have access to an expansive detection window covering up to 90 days. This extended tracing period gives a far-reaching view of an applicant or employee's substance habits, helping employers make informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Plains, KS are notably tamper-resistant. The integrity of the sample is maintained, minimizing the risk of adulteration. With hair analysis, you receive assuredly accurate results that stand up under scrutiny, providing peace of mind in the reliability of findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is at the forefront, with testing locations available nationwide, including Plains, KS. Our widespread network allows for rapid, barrier-free access to testing services, enabling businesses and individuals to pursue necessary screenings without hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering and executing hair follicle testing in Plains, KS is straightforward and confidential. From initiation to result tabulation, the procedure prioritizes privacy and convenience, catering particularly to those with concerns over confidentiality and ease of access.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Plains, KS, we offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our affordable pricing structures, combined with rapid results, provide companies with excellent value and ensure they remain informed with minimal delay.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Plains, KS, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid and precise results. These tests are designed to deliver high accuracy rates in substance use detection, providing trustworthy data for employers and individuals. The efficacy of hair analysis ensures that you receive results swiftly and reliably.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Choosing hair follicle testing in Plains, KS ensures workplace compliance with drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and upholds a safe working environment, supporting employers in maintaining standards and safeguarding their teams 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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