Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Taylor Mill, KY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and other drugs by securing biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to around a 90-day detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is recommended. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equal volume of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The main four phases in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the primary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and addresses any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for it to hold up in court. Any samples that are likely positive in Screening necessitate a secondary affirmation.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the main sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other processes (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All possibly positive samples are rinsed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter window of detection.
• Hard to cheat: It is exceedingly challenging to cheat a hair drug test, increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical data: It can provide a timeline of drug use over a duration, not just immediate use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test assesses the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Taylor Mill, KY

• Hair testing surpasses the traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability over extended periods.
• While urine tests are favored for recent detection, hair tests provide a comprehensive history of up to 90 days.
• Utilizing hair tests aids in enforcing stricter drug-free policies more effectively than ever.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Taylor Mill, KY

• Hair follicle tests offer a detection window of up to 90 days, much longer than that of traditional tests.
• Employers gain a complete understanding of a candidate or employee's drug usage history, improving decision-making processes.
• This extensive period ensures a broader scope in identifying substance use, assisting in maintaining a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Taylor Mill, KY

• Hair follicle testing greatly diminishes the risk of sample adulteration, making the results reliable and unquestionable.
• The observed collection process reduces opportunities for tampering, preserving the integrity of each test.
• This security measure ensures that the results are trustworthy, upholding the standards needed for legal and employment requirements.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Taylor Mill, KY

• With a widespread network of testing centers, accessibility to testing services becomes quick and hassle-free.
• These conveniently located facilities ensure that individuals and organizations can submit to tests without delay.
• This nationwide coverage allows for seamless coordination and execution of necessary drug testing protocols.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Taylor Mill, KY

• Our process for conducting hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, safeguarding privacy.
• From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is designed to prioritize user comfort and ease of use.
• This privacy assurance addresses any concerns while maintaining efficient service delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Taylor Mill, KY

• Our competitive pricing structures and swift turnaround times provide exceptional value for companies of all sizes.
• The economic costs ensure organizations can maintain testing without straining budgets.
• This speed and affordability bring peace of mind, allowing companies to focus on core operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Taylor Mill, KY

• Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed, offering unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance usage.
• The thorough analysis ensures each test is reliable, providing results that employers and individuals can trust.
• This process aids in making informed decisions swiftly, ensuring workplace or court requirements are met efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Taylor Mill, KY

• Hair follicle testing assists in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks.
• Employers benefit from enhanced workplace safety due to the reliability of these tests.
• Implementing this testing method offers a clear, legal guarantee in defending drug-free workplace policies.

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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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