Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Whitewater, KS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers, hair offers a retrospective profile of alcohol and drug use. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. It's easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an optimal quantity for both initial screening and validation. For EtG modifications, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be sourced. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This process includes verifying the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a quick preliminary analysis for drug abuse. While cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples assumed positive in Screening mandate an additional confirmation.

In instances where a sample is tentatively positive during the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction prep. Drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower level compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug analysis the most challenging procedure to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives undergo cleansing prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated 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 identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, enhancing the precision of results.
• Historical insight: Provides a record of drug use spanning a timeframe, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variation: Influences like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering drug testing methods in Whitewater, KS, hair follicle testing is often preferred over traditional urine tests. The detection accuracy and reliability of hair tests surpass those of urine tests, providing a more comprehensive understanding of substance use.

Hair follicle tests have a longer detection window and are less susceptible to manipulation compared to urine tests. These critical benefits make hair testing a more effective tool for employers enforcing zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

In Whitewater, KS, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period for drug use—up to 90 days. This expanded window enables employers to get a full picture of an individual’s substance history, which isn't possible with shorter-span tests like urine analysis.

Employers gain confidence in their hiring and monitoring processes, understanding the comprehensive drug history of their employees, making hair follicle testing a preferred choice.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Whitewater, KS offer a nearly tamper-proof solution to drug testing, reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This reliability ensures that results are both credible and unquestionable, protecting the integrity of the testing process.

Thanks to observed collection methods, hair testing significantly diminishes the chances of manipulation, unlike some traditional testing approaches, providing peace of mind for all stakeholders involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing boasts convenient testing locations in Whitewater, KS, and nationwide, ensuring quick and hassle-free testing services. This accessibility simplifies the testing process for individuals, making it an effortless experience.

With centers readily available across various locations, clients enjoy the benefit of ease and flexibility, ensuring that testing fits seamlessly into their schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Whitewater, KS, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving your results, each step of the process is designed to prioritize privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns related to testing confidentiality.

The seamless process provides peace of mind, ensuring that individuals can access testing services discreetly and efficiently, without compromising their personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Whitewater, KS an attractive option for companies of any size. Accredited Drug Testing provides value without compromising speed or accuracy.

Our cost-effective solutions ensure that businesses receive high-quality testing services quickly, enabling them to maintain compliance and safety standards without overextending their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Whitewater, KS make them a top choice for substance detection. With the ability to deliver accurate and reliable results, these tests are highly efficient in confirming drug use, offering an edge over less advanced testing methods.

This testing method prioritizes accuracy, ensuring that individuals or employers receive trustworthy information. Hair follicle testing's sophisticated analysis distinguishes it as a superior option in speed and precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Whitewater, KS, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, effectively minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety. The consistent use of hair tests promotes a culture of trust and reliability within the workplace.

With extended detection capabilities, hair testing aids in maintaining rigorous standards, offering employers peace of mind and a secure working environment for everyone.

Drug Testing Near Whitewater, KS

Valley Center, KS

Peabody, KS

Towanda, KS

Kechi, KS

Benton, KS

Walton, KS

Newton, KS

North Newton, KS

Potwin, KS

Furley, KS

Elbing, KS

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews