Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Republic, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use. Hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to approximately three months. Its collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is convenient.

A 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. A jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair solely pertain to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry if not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary fast check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result needs further confirmation to be admissible in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening must undergo a secondary verification.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other methods (like urine or oral fluid), underscoring the challenge of performing hair drug screening.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a more limited window.
• Resistant to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It enables tracking drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier than other methods.
• Result variance: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can alter drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", these tests assess the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Republic, KS

In Republic, KS, hair follicle testing provides superior results compared to urine testing. It offers enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, making it a preferred choice for organizations aiming to maintain a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Republic, KS

Hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window of up to 90 days in Republic, KS, allowing employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance history. This approach gives a broader view compared to shorter-term tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Republic, KS

In Republic, KS, hair follicle tests are designed to minimize the risk of sample tampering, ensuring results are both reliable and difficult to challenge. This aspect makes hair testing a trusted method for detecting substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Republic, KS

Republic, KS, benefits from the widespread availability of our nationwide testing centers. These centers provide quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, ensuring convenience for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Republic, KS

The hair follicle testing process in Republic, KS, is straightforward and respects privacy. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure is designed to be user-friendly and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Republic, KS

Republic, KS, offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, coupled with rapid turnaround times. This ensures excellent value, accommodating businesses of various sizes by providing them peace of mind and financial efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Republic, KS

Hair follicle testing in Republic, KS, offers swift and precise detection of substance use, surpassing traditional methods. The method's high accuracy ensures comprehensive results, making it a trusted option for those seeking fast and reliable testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Republic, KS

By incorporating hair follicle testing, employers in Republic, KS, can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This practice minimizes legal risks and contributes significantly to workplace safety.

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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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