Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fincastle, KY

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment has become recognized as an influential method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can deliver up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verification. In cases involving EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the beginning phase where a sample is logged into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. It is an efficient way of excluding drug usage on most samples, but a positive result at this stage must be verified for court admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at far lower concentrations than in other testing methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are washed prior to verification as required. The full laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is under review in compliance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby increasing result accuracy.
• Yields historical information: It provides a timeline of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for detecting recent use: Detection in hair takes approximately 5-7 days after drug intake.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is often costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: The test commonly called "hair follicle tests" actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle situated beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fincastle, KY, hair follicle tests provide distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Comparatively, hair testing boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability, becoming the favored choice among drug testing methods. While urine tests can detect short-term usage, hair tests reveal drug history over a longer timeframe, which is valuable for employers adhering to strict policies.

• Long-term detection of up to 90 days.
• More reliable due to minimal tampering risk.
• Provides confidence in substance accountability.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Fincastle, KY, offer an extended detection window, up to 90 days, which is invaluable in comprehending an individual's substance use history. This broad timeframe helps employers obtain a thorough understanding, enhancing decision-making regarding both applicants and current employees.

• Detects substance use over a significantly longer period.
• Crucial for employers needing comprehensive assessments.
• Ideal for maintaining rigorous drug-free workplace standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Fincastle, KY, hair follicle testing significantly curtails the risk of sample adulteration, delivering reliable results. Unlike urine tests, which can be more easily manipulated, hair tests offer a robust defense against fraudulent activities, ensuring integrity in drug testing.

• Difficult to tamper with compared to other tests.
• Provides credible and unquestionable results.
• Ensures trust in workplace drug-testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible testing locations are crucial, and in Fincastle, KY, our widespread network of centers simplifies the process. Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide presence ensures convenient access to testing services, minimizing hassle and maximizing efficiency.

• Numerous testing centers across the nation.
• Local availability in Fincastle enhances accessibility.
• Simplifies the testing process for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fincastle, KY, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to test-taking to receiving results, the procedure respects privacy and ensures ease of use. Individuals can trust that their results remain confidential throughout the testing process.

• Easy test ordering and administration.
• Confidential handling of test results.
• User-friendly experience throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Fincastle, KY, benefits from affordable pricing and swift result turnaround in hair follicle testing. We provide competitive pricing structures that deliver great value for employers of all sizes, combined with quick processing times to keep companies informed and compliant.

• Economical pricing catering to various employer needs.
• Rapid turnaround ensures timely results.
• Cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fincastle, KY, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests stand out. This method's high accuracy in detecting substance use ensures reliable results. Hair tests offer a swift process, minimizing the waiting period associated with traditional testing methods, making it an efficient choice for time-sensitive situations.

• Highly accurate in detecting multiple substances.
• Fast processing time, often yielding results within days.
• Consistent performance over alternative methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Fincastle, KY, can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, diminishing legal risks while reinforcing a safe work environment. Employers gain confidence in their workforce's integrity through reliable testing.

• Guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces potential legal liabilities.
• Enhances overall workplace safety and productivity.

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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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