Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Udall, KS

What it is, How it works

Seen as a robust method, hair testing is integral for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair stores a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the emerging hair strand. Harvested near the scalp, hair delivers nearly a 3-month detection span for substances like alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, fairly resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch tuft containing around 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp secures 100mg of hair, the preferred sample weight for testing and verification. For EtG, supplemental, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory's system. This involves confirming the sample’s proper sealing and dispatch, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent in digital chain of custody systems.

Screening entails an initial swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples indicating presumptive positivity in Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at concentrations lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a notably challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo cleansing before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screening identifies drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter scope.
• Hard to manipulate: It's extremely difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Shows historical usage: It reflects a pattern of drug consumption over a duration, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is largely pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often described as "hair follicle tests", the exam evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Udall, KS

Hair follicle tests offer multiple advantages over urine tests. Unlike urine testing, hair analysis provides a much longer detection window, capturing a broader history of substance use. It's known for its high accuracy rate, detecting substances with precision that urine tests might miss. Employing hair follicle testing also minimizes the risk of tampering, ensuring results remain reliable and trustworthy.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Udall, KS

One of the prominent features of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, often up to 90 days. This prolonged detection window offers a comprehensive look into an individual's substance use history, allowing employers to make informed decisions based on a complete understanding of an applicant or employee's behaviors, enhancing workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Udall, KS

The integrity of a drug test is paramount, and hair follicle testing offers a distinct advantage here. Unlike other testing methods, hair analysis significantly curtails the risk of tampering or sample adulteration. This ensures that the results are not only accurate but also carry an authenticity that instills trust, providing employers with unquestionable data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Udall, KS

Accredited Drug Testing offers a vast network of testing centers across the nation, including Udall, KS, providing convenience and accessibility for all clients. This widespread availability means quick and hassle-free testing services, ensuring individuals and organizations can easily fulfill their testing requirements without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Udall, KS

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is straightforward and maintains strict confidentiality. Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes privacy and ease of use, ensuring that individuals can access their results securely and efficiently, addressing any concerns about privacy and convenience head-on.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Udall, KS

Accredited Drug Testing is committed to offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, ensuring you get exceptional value without compromising on accuracy or speed. This affordability, coupled with rapid results, makes it an excellent choice for companies of all sizes looking to maintain a drug-free environment efficiently and cost-effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Udall, KS

In the quest for accurate and prompt drug testing results, hair follicle analysis stands out as a leading choice. This method not only accurately identifies substance use but does so efficiently, providing results in a concise timeframe. The capability to yield such precise outcomes helps organizations maintain a high standard of safety and assurance in their drug testing procedures, thus securing their workplace environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Udall, KS

Utilizing hair follicle testing helps employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing potential legal risks. This testing method supports companies in maintaining a secure and healthy working environment, bringing peace of mind by safeguarding against illicit substance use and promoting overall business productivity and safety.

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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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