Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Seward, KS

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair analysis has emerged as a significant approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hairs (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary four procedures involved in processing a drug test in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the primary handling of a sample into a laboratory system. This involves ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched properly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive detection requires validation for court admissibility. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. In the Extraction phase, drugs are drawn from hair concentrations much lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screen results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is monitored under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can trace drug use for a maximum of 90 days, compared to the shorter window of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are notably hard to alter, leading to more precise results.
• Historic data provision: They offer a trend of drug use over a duration, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outperform urine tests in Seward, KS?
The primary advantage is its superior detection accuracy, extending up to 90 days.
This method offers a more reliable outcome compared to the conventional urine test.

In terms of reliability, hair testing clearly surpasses urine testing.
The propensity for hair tests to detect drugs long after use is unmatched.
For employers and legal systems, this level of precision and reliability is indispensable.

Extended Detection Window

In Seward, KS, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window.
This period, reaching up to 90 days, offers a comprehensive view of substance history.
Employers gain the advantage of assessing long-term drug use in candidates.

With a significant detection period, employers can make better-informed decisions.
The expansive time frame uncovers usage patterns that other methods might miss.
For applicants and employees, this means presenting a more accurate history of substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair tests in Seward, KS, offer a stringent drug testing method.
Their design significantly reduces the risk of tampering or sample alteration.
This ensures results are reliable and not questioned by employers or legal authorities.

The robustness of hair follicle tests stems from their tamper-resistant nature.
Ensuring an untouched sample maintains the integrity of the testing process.
This reliability adds immense value for those prioritizing honest results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with our Seward, KS, testing centers and nationwide locations.
Ease of access to test facilities allows for hassle-free drug testing services.
Our comprehensive network ensures a quick and straightforward testing experience.

Our broad testing network offers significant benefits for employers.
Facilities are easily accessible, minimizing delays for necessary drug testing.
The process is streamlined, from ordering to obtaining results efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process in Seward, KS, remains simple and confidential.
From ordering to receiving results, privacy concerns are addressed effectively.
The ease of the process ensures a user-friendly approach for all clients.

Maintaining confidentiality is a priority at every step of our hair testing service.
Clients can trust in a seamless experience from start to finish.
Simplicity enhances the client experience amidst necessary drug testing protocols.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing in Seward, KS, positions our testing services attractively.
Affordability combined with quick turnaround times provides great value.
Companies of varying sizes benefit from both cost-effective and efficient testing.

Fast processing and budget-friendly rates bolster our service offerings.
Clients receive high-quality results without the typical extended waiting periods.
This expedites hiring decisions, benefitting companies significantly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Seward, KS, ensures rapid yet thorough analysis.
Their high precision in identifying substance use makes them indispensable.
Providing both quick and accurate results fortifies the testing's reliability.

Employers benefit from the certainty that comes with accurate test results.
Hair tests minimize errors, offering a trustworthy detection of substances used.
The speed and accuracy make these tests a top choice in today's drug screening landscape.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Seward, KS, hair follicle testing aids in compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
Utilizing this testing method reduces potential legal liabilities.
Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are supporting a safe work environment.

The security of using hair tests fortifies workplace drug policies.
Aiding in safety and compliance simultaneously bolsters employer's confidence.
These methods reassure that policies align with best practices in drug testing.

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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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