Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sedgwick, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When collected close to the scalp, hair samples offer approximately a 90-day detection window for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to gather hair samples, which are relatively resistant to tampering and hassle-free to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil), yields about 100mg of hair, which is ideal for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG tests, add-ons, or panels above ten, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Reference to head hair indicates scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

Drug test results are processed in a lab via four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is entered into a lab system. This phase includes ensuring correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for potential drug abuse. Although cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, confirmed results are necessary for legal proceedings. Samples that screen positive require a follow-up confirmation.

In cases where a sample results presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted at lower concentrations with hair than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), posing a greater challenge.

For Confirmation of positive Screening results, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. All samples that are presumptive positive are cleansed prior to Confirmation if required. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, complies with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Unlike urine tests, hair drug tests identify drug usage over up to 90 days.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are tough to alter, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides chronological data: It shows drug usage patterns over time, beyond recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Lacks recent use detection: Drugs appear in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing techniques.
• Variabilities in measurements: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests offer various advantages over traditional urine tests in Sedgwick, KS, notably in detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests may catch recent usage, hair testing provides a more complete profile of an individual's drug history.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle analysis offers a window into long-term substance use, proving to be far more challenging to circumvent due to its observable collection method in Sedgwick, KS.

Extended Detection Window

In Sedgwick, KS, hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection window, capturing drug usage for up to 90 days. This allows employers to evaluate an individual's history of substance use more comprehensively than shorter-term tests.

The extended detection offered by hair testing in Sedgwick, KS, means employers can gain insight into applicants or employees' behavior, enabling informed decisions about workplace safety and reliability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Sedgwick, KS, significantly reduce the opportunity for sample adulteration, making them far more reliable. The collection process ensures the integrity of the sample, offering unquestionable results.

For secure and tamper-resistant testing, Sedgwick, KS, relies on hair follicle tests. These tests are nearly impervious to manipulation, giving employers peace of mind that they reflect true substance use patterns.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing centers in Sedgwick, KS, and nationwide simplify the testing process, ensuring swift and easy access to necessary services. Convenient locations eliminate barriers to completing essential drug testing.

With numerous sites available in Sedgwick, KS, we bring drug testing directly to you, offering hassle-free and local solutions that promote efficient and timely testing outcomes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our straightforward and discreet process in Sedgwick, KS, makes ordering and receiving hair follicle test results simple, protecting client privacy while easing the testing journey from start to finish.

Sedgwick, KS, residents benefit from a confidential process that respects privacy and ensures clarity, with straightforward testing steps that put ease and confidentiality at the forefront.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Sedgwick, KS, our competitive pricing coupled with fast results ensures companies receive exceptional value, irrespective of size. Quick turnaround times enhance peace of mind for employers.

Balancing affordability with quality, our hair follicle testing in Sedgwick, KS, delivers financially accessible solutions without sacrificing speed, allowing businesses to manage their testing requirements effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Sedgwick, KS, the precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug testing are unmatched. These tests boast high accuracy, ensuring that substance use is detected reliably. You can trust hair testing to deliver fast and precise results.

With hair follicle testing, speed does not compromise accuracy. The process quickly identifies substances with unparalleled precision in Sedgwick, KS, making it a preferred choice for timely and accurate results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Opting for hair follicle testing in Sedgwick, KS, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, crucial for legal risk reduction and enhancing safety. Employers find peace of mind knowing policies are adhered to.

By implementing hair testing, Sedgwick, KS, businesses reinforce their commitment to safe and productive environments, aligning with company standards and legal regulations while minimizing liabilities.

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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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