Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sterling, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair samples can offer up to about a 3-month detection period for alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches composed of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample volume for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the hair specimen is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen's weight is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equal volume of body hair may be utilized. Here, head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage of incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and recording any supplementary data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary rapid check for substance misuse. Though Screening is an economical means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be valid legally. Any samples that test presumptively positive during the Screening phase necessitate additional confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most complex methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any indicated positive Screening results is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is meticulously reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standardizations.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which feature shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, resulting in more reliable results.
• Records past usage: It can depict drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Detectable drug presence in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally have higher costs than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," these tests evaluate the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Sterling, KS: Hair testing offers superior detection capabilities over traditional urine tests. With their ability to identify longer histories of drug use, hair tests provide more comprehensive results.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers higher accuracy and reliability, making them a preferred choice for essential drug screening requirements by employers and courts in Sterling, KS.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Windows in Sterling, KS: Hair follicle testing excels with its extended detection period, tracing drug use up to 90 days prior to the test. This wide window provides employers with a deeper understanding of an individual's substance history.

With Sterling, KS being home to numerous employers with strict policies, this prolonged detection advantage ensures a full overview of an applicant or employee's drug use behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Sterling, KS: Hair follicle drug tests offer a robust defense against sample tampering. Their collection and testing procedures make adulteration incredibly challenging, assuring dependable outcomes.

The integrity and security of hair tests give Sterling, KS companies peace of mind, knowing their results are genuine and unaffected by manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience in Sterling, KS: Access to our extensive network of testing centers means quick and easy testing services are always within reach. Regardless of location, Accredited Drug Testing offers hassle-free access to hair testing in Sterling and across the nation.

Availability at numerous centers ensures Sterling, KS residents benefit from seamless testing processes without significant disruption.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Confidential Testing in Sterling, KS: Our process is designed with users in mind, offering a simple and private method for ordering, participating, and receiving test results. Keeping confidentiality at the forefront ensures a stress-free experience.

In Sterling, KS, individuals can trust our service to handle their testing needs discretely, providing peace of mind and convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Rapid Turnaround in Sterling, KS: We boast competitive pricing structures that enhance value for companies of all sizes. Coupled with our fast turnaround times, Sterling, KS employers can enjoy economically priced, timely, and efficient testing solutions.

Affordable options ensure that organizations receive high-quality testing services without compromising financial resources or time.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results in Sterling, KS: Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise detection of substance use. The method's accuracy in identifying drug metabolites makes it highly reliable, ensuring quick results without compromising on detail.

Employers in Sterling, KS can trust in the speed and accuracy of hair testing to deliver results swiftly, enabling informed decision-making with certainty and confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Assurance in Sterling, KS: Hair follicle testing supports workplace compliance with drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks while enhancing safety. Employers in Sterling, KS can maintain control by using hair testing to uphold strict standards.

The assurance provided by reliable testing bolsters operations, ensuring organizations remain compliant and successful in creating a safe working 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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