Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Scranton, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method to detect drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of substance intake by securing biomarkers in its fibers. When taken near the scalp, it can offer a detection window up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch snippet of around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels above 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, body hair of the same amount can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair; body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test result at the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial setup of a sample in a lab system. It includes checking that the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. It is a cost-efficient way to screen out drug usage for most cases; however, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that screen positive require a further confirmation step.

If a sample screens positive, more hair is taken from the initial collection and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at lower concentrations than in methods like urine or oral fluid tests, highlighting why hair testing is among the most complex methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes necessary washing before confirmation. The laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It's very challenging to alter a hair drug test, making its results more reliable.
• Shows historical usage: It can indicate a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs become traceable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests cost more than other drug test methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth variation can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Scranton, KS, hair follicle tests surpass urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy. This method unveils drug use over an extended period, providing unparalleled insights.

Hair testing in Scranton has clear advantages over urine tests, from superior detection reliability to resistance against cheating, making it a top choice for substance testing.

Choosing hair follicle over urine testing in Scranton brings accuracy and reliability to the forefront, ensuring comprehensive drug detection.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection period of hair follicle tests in Scranton, KS, provides employers with invaluable insight. Capable of revealing substance use for up to 90 days, these tests enable an informed overview of candidates or employees.

Employers in Scranton benefit from hair follicle testing by accessing a broader detection window. This comprehensive method tracks drug history over months, aiding in better employment decisions.

For those in Scranton, KS, wishing to identify substance use over time, hair follicle testing is unmatched, offering an extensive detection window highlighting longer substance interaction.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Scranton, KS, stands out for its tamper-resistant nature, ensuring secure and trustworthy results. This method reduces the risk of sample manipulation significantly.

Employing hair tests in Scranton minimizes the potential for sample adulteration, providing indispensable test integrity that is highly reliable and trustworthy.

By choosing hair follicle testing in Scranton, businesses secure a method that substantially lowers tampering risks, guaranteeing authentic results every time.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Scranton, KS residents find unparalleled convenience with our local and nationwide testing locations. Access is quick and hassle-free, supporting an efficient testing process.

Our extensive network includes Scranton, KS, simplifying your testing experience. Our local centers ensure smooth and practical testing services.

The ease of access to our testing locations in Scranton, KS, and nationwide provides hassle-free service, focusing on customer convenience and expediency.

Simple, Confidential Process

Scranton, KS residents enjoy a straightforward and confidential testing process, from ordering to receiving results. Privacy and simplicity are prioritized throughout.

Our testing service in Scranton ensures a seamless, confidential experience from start to finish, addressing privacy concerns with a secure process.

For those in Scranton, KS, the hair follicle testing procedure is simple and discreet, ensuring users a worry-free experience with guaranteed confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Companies in Scranton, KS appreciate our affordable pricing for hair follicle tests. Coupled with fast turnaround times, we provide excellent value and assurance for various business needs.

Offering competitive pricing structures, our services in Scranton ensure affordable hair follicle testing without compromising quick and reliable results.

In Scranton, KS, our economically priced hair follicle tests, paired with prompt results, deliver unparalleled value while preserving corporate budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Scranton, KS benefits significantly from hair follicle testing, known for its rapid, accurate results. This test type boasts exceptional precision in identifying substance use, ensuring reliable and quick insights into any drug exposure.

Using hair follicle testing in Scranton presents a fast approach to gathering substance use data. Renowned for its accuracy, this method reliably detects products, delivering dependable outcomes.

Hair testing stands out in Scranton with its swift result delivery, vital for urgent needs. The method guarantees high-level accuracy in substance detection, making it a preferred choice for reliable assessment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Scranton, KS, ensures compliance with drug-free policies. Employers achieve peace of mind through reduced legal risks and heightened workplace safety.

For Scranton enterprises, hair follicle testing promises alignment with regulatory standards, boosting peace of mind and proving vital for safeguarding workforce integrity.

Scranton-based employers using hair follicle tests enhance policy adherence, relieving legal concerns and fostering a secure, productive 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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