Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Belfry, KY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a crucial method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands archive a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by securing biomarkers within the hair’s fibers as it grows. When harvested close to the scalp, hair can provide nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. It’s easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A sample of around 1.5 inches made up of approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The main four steps involved in processing a drug test outcome in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. It includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a swift initial check for substances of abuse. Though a cost-efficient method to discount drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is mandatory for court acceptability. Presumptive positive samples in Screening will need subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are derived from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are cleansed as required before confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP’s (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug analyses can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine analyses with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It can show a timeline of drug usage over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair only after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing hair and urine tests in Belfry, KY, the benefits of hair testing stand out. Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and is known for its reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests effectively capture regular drug use over a prolonged period, offering a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Belfry, KY offers an extended detection window, capable of revealing drug use for up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe provides employers with a thorough evaluation of a person's substance use history, ensuring a more informed decision-making process when hiring or monitoring employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Belfry, KY is a tamper-resistant method, acting as a robust deterrent against sample adulteration. The reliability of results is significantly enhanced, giving stakeholders confidence in the accuracy and authenticity of the testing outcomes. This ensures both fairness and integrity in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access for all in Belfry, KY. Our network spans across various cities, allowing for seamless, hassle-free testing experiences. Regardless of the location, individuals and employers alike have assurance in the availability and proximity of testing centers.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair testing process in Belfry, KY is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the focus is on preserving user privacy and providing a straightforward experience. Those needing testing can expect a streamlined operation, easing concerns about safety, confidentiality, and procedural complexity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Belfry, KY, Accredited Drug Testing emphasizes affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This enables businesses of all sizes to access premium testing services without breaking the budget. The combination of cost-effectiveness and rapid results delivers excellent value and reassures clients of their investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Belfry, KY, hair follicle drug tests guarantee fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes. The technology used in analyzing hair samples is state-of-the-art, ensuring precise detection of various substances. This efficiency is unmatched, offering both employers and individuals a trustworthy solution when assessing substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Belfry, KY, hair follicle testing offers compliance and peace of mind. Implementing this testing method helps maintain a drug-free workplace, which is crucial for reducing legal liabilities and enhancing overall safety. Businesses can trust in reliable test results that support their policy enforcement efforts.

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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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