Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Summersville, KY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair samples can indicate drug and alcohol use for up to roughly a three-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately the same diameter as a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG tests, additional testing, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types such as facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning handles the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's framework. This includes confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry needed beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening comprises a preliminary swift evaluation for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be acceptable in legal proceedings. Any samples that are initially positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample initially test positive in the Screening phase, more hair from the original sample is extracted for the Extraction process. At this stage, drug compounds are extracted from hair at much lower concentration levels compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex method to execute.

Verification of any positive screen result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with 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 which detect more recent use.
• Hard to manipulate: The results are more reliable due to the difficulty in adulterating a hair drug test.
• Shows usage history: Offers a comprehensive view of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs are only detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing techniques.
• Variable results: Elements such as hair color and differences in individual hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out in Summersville, KY, by offering a superior alternative to urine tests. The main advantage lies in its enhanced reliability and accuracy. Hair tests provide a broader detection range that outshines traditional urine tests, offering a more dependable assessment of substance use over time.

Extended Detection Window

Summersville, KY, benefits from hair follicle testing that offers an extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. Employers gain insightful perspectives into applicants or current employees' substance use history. Such comprehensive coverage allows for better-informed hiring and retention decisions, enhancing workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Summersville, KY, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing is paramount. By minimizing the risk of adulteration, these tests provide assured outcomes. Their reliability counteracts attempts to manipulate results, providing stakeholders with peace of mind and reinforcing confidence in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Summersville, KY residents and businesses have access to a network of convenient testing centers across the nation. This availability ensures easy and efficient access to hair follicle testing services, minimizing hassle and facilitating rapid service delivery, whether for personal or professional purposes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Summersville, KY, promises a straightforward and private process. The simplicity of ordering, taking, and receiving results addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a user-friendly experience. This approach emphasizes confidentiality and ease, making the testing procedure stress-free for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For businesses in Summersville, KY, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround. This aligns with budgetary constraints while providing a superior testing experience. Companies of varying sizes can enjoy both cost-effectiveness and speedy service, enhancing operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Summersville, KY, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision in detecting substance use. The ability to uncover drug consumption patterns accurately makes hair tests significantly more reliable. With rapid results, individuals and organizations can quickly act upon data, ensuring timely decision-making processes are in place.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Summersville, KY, achieve peace of mind and compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. By reducing legal risks and enhancing overall workplace safety, hair testing ensures organizations align with regulatory standards effectively, fostering a secure and productive work environment.

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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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