Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Russell, KY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of alcohol and drugs. Hair provides a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can reveal drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to send for testing.

Collecting a 1.5-inch sample from approximately 200 hair strands, roughly the width of a #2 pencil, near the scalp gives 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing. For enhanced EtG detection or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample's weight. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equal quantity of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to hair from the scalp, while body hair encompasses all other types such as facial or armpit hair.

Process Overview

The drug testing process in the lab includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of bringing a sample into the lab's workflow. This involves confirming that the packaging was intact and shipped correctly, designating it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary documentation not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial, rapid examination for substance abuse. While this is a cost-efficient method for eliminating drug use in many samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples with potential positive results during Screening require further confirmation.

In cases of potential positive results identified during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (such as in urine or oral samples), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methods.

Confirmed positive screening results are verified using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, presumptively positive samples are washed if needed. The entire testing procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO/IEC 17025 standards compliance.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair testing can track drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine testing which covers a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It's challenging to deceive a hair test, hence delivering more reliable outcomes.
• Offers usage history: It can illustrate a drug usage pattern over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Inconsistent results: Factors such as hair pigmentation and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the testing process involves the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Russell, KY, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine testing methods. Why choose hair tests?

• Extended Detection Period
• Higher Accuracy

Hair tests offer superior reliability, detecting drugs up to 90 days, compared to urine's shorter window. This longer span provides a more comprehensive
view of an individual's substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection is a prime benefit of hair testing in Russell, KY. Detect drug use over up to 90 days,

• longer than urine tests
• useful for employers

For a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, hair follicle tests offer a clearer, more extensive perspective, aiding informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are tamper-resistant, providing unquestionable results.

• Reduce sample adulteration
• Curbs attempts to manipulate results

Ensuring integrity, these tests are crucial for reliable evidence in Russell, KY,
providing peace of mind for employers and legal entities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing locations both nationwide and locally in Russell, KY, make our services accessible.

• Easy-to-find centers
• Nationwide Reach

With numerous centers, testing
is quick, easy, and hassle-free, ensuring clients enjoy a smooth and accessible experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and confidential processes in Russell, KY, ensure comfort and security. Privacy assured.

• Order, take, and receive results seamlessly.
• Focus on client privacy concerns

We prioritize ease of use, dispelling worries about
complex procedures or data protection, upholding client confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing with fast turnaround in Russell, KY, we provide
great value for all businesses.

• Competitive rates
• Quick results

Our efficient systems allow companies to enjoy cost savings with assurance of quality timely outcomes,
enhancing organizational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and precision of hair follicle testing in Russell, KY, ensures reliable substance detection. Hair tests boast
superb accuracy, quickly identifying drug use, making them ideal for individuals and businesses alike.

• Rapid Results
• High Detection Accuracy

Leveraging advanced technology, these tests provide fast outcomes with minimal waiting times, crucial for timely decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Russell, KY, benefit from compliance and security with hair follicle testing. Ensure workplace safety

• Legal risk reduction
• Reinforce drug-free policies

Observing company regulations reduces exposure to legal issues while cultivating a safe work environment through consistent drug-free policies.

Drug Testing Near Russell, KY

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Bryan, KY

Eli, KY

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Russell Springs, KY

Jamestown, KY

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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