Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shields, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a formidable method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, offering a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for substances and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This procedure includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic custody chain.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in the majority of specimens, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples with a preliminary positive in Screening necessitate additional affirmation.

For samples with a preliminary positive in the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, doping substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening remains the most complex method to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screen outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumed positive result undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The overall lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug exams can uncover drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a briefer detection period.
• Resistance to deception: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Delivers past consumption data: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug exams generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Shields, KS, stands out against traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability.
Unlike urine tests, hair tests cover a longer detection window, providing a clearer, more detailed picture of an individual's substance use history.

While urine tests may identify recent drug use, hair follicle tests excel in offering broader insights over an extended period, making them an invaluable tool for rigorous drug-use policies.
Employers who prioritize accuracy find hair testing advantageous in their drug-free workplace strategies.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Shields, KS, offers a thorough view of an individual's drug use over up to 90 days.
Employers can thus assess substance history to make informed decisions regarding applicants or employees.
This extended period helps in identifying patterns of sustained use, crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace environment.

Beyond the limitations of other testing methods, hair testing provides a comprehensive perspective, crucial for understanding long-term substance behaviors and protecting the integrity of employment spaces in Shields, KS.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Shields, KS benefits from hair follicle tests that are tamper-resistant, drastically reducing the risk of sample adulteration.
This robust nature ensures reliable and unquestionable results, reinforcing trust in the testing process.

With hair testing, the security of the collection process is significantly enhanced, rendering attempts to alter or tamper with samples virtually impossible.
Employers and substance analysts can rely on the authenticity of results derived from this testing method.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient nationwide testing locations, including those in Shields, KS, Accredited Drug Testing ensures hassle-free access to services.
With numerous centers, we provide swift and convenient testing solutions across the country.

This extensive network of facilities allows individuals and employers to receive prompt service, ensuring that testing needs are met efficiently without undue delay or inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering to receiving results in Shields, KS.
Our system is designed to respect the privacy of all clients, delivering reliable services without cumbersome procedures.

From the initial test ordering to the secure receipt of results, our streamlined methods prioritize client confidentiality while maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Shields, KS, our testing services offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround, catering to businesses of all sizes with excellent value.
Our competitive pricing structures provide peace of mind while ensuring that the financial burden of testing is minimized.

Fast turnaround times make sure that results are available quickly, aiding in timely decision-making processes that are critical for maintaining operational efficiency and integrity.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results in Shields, KS. Due to their advanced methods, these tests can detect substance use with high precision, offering peace of mind.
The speed at which results are delivered ensures that decisions can be made swiftly and with confidence. Accuracy is paramount, and these tests deliver comprehensive insights into substance use effectively.

Employers and individuals can benefit from the accuracy of hair follicle testing, which stands out as a powerful tool in maintaining workplace safety and integrity.
In Shields, KS, the cutting-edge technology used in these tests offers unmatched precision in identifying drug use, reinforcing trust in results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Shields, KS, gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which aligns with drug-free workplace policies.
This testing method aids in reducing legal risks while enhancing overall workplace safety.

By implementing hair testing, companies ensure they adhere to regulations while promoting a safer environment for all employees.
The result is a more compliant and secure workplace, less exposed to the potential perils of drug use at work.

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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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