Hair Follicle Drug Testing - White City, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust means for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair offers a detailed timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within its fibers. When a sample is taken near the scalp, it allows for detection of drugs and alcohol for up to about 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

An ideal sample features a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil), yielding around 100mg of hair, perfect for screening and confirming results. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. In absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be substituted. When we refer to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair only. Body hair includes every other type (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in laboratory drug test processing comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s database. It involves checking that the sample was sealed and sent properly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a rapid initial evaluation for drugs of abuse. Despite Screening being a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in court. Samples yielding presumptive positive results in Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result at the Screening stage, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, the drug extraction from hair occurs at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodologically.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical patterns: Offers insight into a pattern of drug use, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result fluctuations: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The Superiority of Hair Follicle Testing over urine testing in White City, KS is clear. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests.

Hair testing surpasses urine exams by offering a more dependable analysis, making it the preferred choice for those seeking effective substance use detection methods.

Extended Detection Window

The Extended Detection Window of hair follicle testing in White City, KS provides insight into drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days.

This method offers employers a detailed overview of a candidate's or employee's substance history, allowing for well-informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests reduce the risk of Sample Adulteration in White City, KS, significantly lowering the chances of tampering.

The reliability and unquestionable results provided by this testing method are invaluable for accurate substance use detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience in testing is available through our centers, including those in White City, KS. With facilities nationwide, accessing drug testing services is straightforward and hassle-free.

Local facilities ensure quick and easy testing processes for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our Simple and Confidential Process in White City, KS ensures ease of use while maintaining user privacy.

From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, our process prioritizes a straightforward yet secure experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer Affordable Pricing alongside a quick turnaround in White City, KS.

Our competitive pricing structures paired with fast result delivery provide excellent value, benefitting companies of varied sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speedy and Reliable Outcomes in White City, KS are achievable through hair follicle drug tests. These tests combine precision with speed, delivering results that accurately reflect substance use.

Hair follicle testing stands out in its accuracy. Detecting substance use with an unmatched level of precision, these tests ensure reliable results that employers can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employer Compliance and peace of mind in White City, KS are assured through hair follicle testing. Adhering to workplace drug-free policies is facilitated by this trustworthy method.

This approach minimizes legal risks while enhancing overall workplace 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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