Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Waverly, KY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. It's easy to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps to process a drug test result encompass four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening is a preliminary rapid check for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Any samples presumed positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If the Screening stage yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. At this point, drugs are sourced from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Any positive results from screening are verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation, when necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: It is notably difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Delivers historical insights: It can outline a pattern of substance use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Aspects such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle found under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Triumphs Over Urine in Waverly, KY

• Hair testing offers an extended detection window up to 90 days.
• More reliable than standard urine tests thereby reducing false negatives.
• Offers a detailed view of an individual's substance history.
  Employers appreciate the accuracy and reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Understanding Extended Detection Window in Waverly, KY

• Hair follicle testing uncovers drug use over up to 90 days.
• Employers gain a comprehensive view of an individual's drug history.
• Ideal for creating a safe and drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Ensuring Tamper-Resistance in Waverly, KY

• Hair follicle tests minimize the chances of sample tampering.
• This method ensures accuracy in results, offering peace of mind.
• Leads to more reliable workplace drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Waverly, KY

• Accredited Drug Testing has numerous testing centers nationwide.
• Convenient testing locations in and around Waverly.
• Access to quick and hassle-free testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Testing in Waverly, KY

• The process is straightforward and ensures privacy for all clients.
• Easy ordering, testing, and receiving of results.
• Maintains confidentiality to build trust with employees and employers.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Testing Solutions in Waverly, KY

• Competitive pricing ensures cost-effective testing for all business sizes.
• Fast turnaround times provide excellent value.
• Promotes peace of mind through economical and reliable services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Waverly, KY, quick and precise hair follicle drug testing stands out for its remarkable efficiency.
Accuracy

• The testing procedure identifies substance use with high precision.
• Results are reliable and almost immediate.
• Ideal for prompt decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind in Waverly, KY

• Hair follicle testing helps employers comply with drug-free workplace regulations.
• This testing method reduces legal risks, ensuring employee safety is prioritized.
• Facilitates a healthier and more productive workplace environment.

Drug Testing Near Waverly, KY

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Grove Center, KY

Pride, KY

Poole, KY

Tilden, KY

Uniontown, KY

Corydon, KY

Morganfield, KY

Breckinridge Center, 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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