Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kokomo, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-lasting record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to approximately a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to adulterate, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 strands of hair (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample entering a lab's system. This involves verifying that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary quick scan for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be admissible in court. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methodologies (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed 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 period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to deceive: It is exceptionally challenging to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical data: Capable of providing a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It typically takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Kokomo, MS, the advantages of hair follicle drug tests outweigh those of traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer superior detection periods, capturing drug use over several months compared to the short span monitored by urine tests. This extended coverage gives employers and courts a broader perspective on substance use, enhancing their decision-making processes.

Hair testing's accuracy and reliability make it a dominant choice for drug detection. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are more resistant to tampering and offer consistent results regardless of recent drug use attempts. This means employers and institutions can rely on them for a clearer picture of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle drug tests in Kokomo, MS provide an expansive detection window, allowing substances to be traceable for up to 90 days. This long-term visibility into drug use history offers employers comprehensive insights into a person's behavior, essential for making informed employment decisions.

Employers in Kokomo benefit from the extended detection window because it reveals consistent patterns of drug use instead of isolated incidents. This capability is particularly valuable when evaluating potential employees, ensuring that those with potentially risky habits are identified early in the employment process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Kokomo, MS substantially minimize the risk of sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are resistant to adulteration, ensuring that the results are genuine and uncontested. This integrity in testing method guarantees reliability for all stakeholders involved.

The observed collection process involved in hair testing further fortifies its resistance to tampering. By using hair samples, the testing process in Kokomo remains free from external interference, providing peace of mind that the results accurately reflect an individual's substance use, devoid of manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Kokomo, MS, accessing hair follicle drug testing is made simple through our extensive network of locations. With nationwide centers at your service, arranging a test is convenient and hassle-free, allowing you to quickly fulfill your testing needs.

Whether in Kokomo or anywhere nationwide, finding a testing center is easy, ensuring that both employers and individuals have swift access to essential services. This convenience makes it effortless to maintain regular testing schedules without logistical obstacles.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle drug testing in Kokomo, MS follows a straightforward and confidential procedure. Ordering a test and obtaining results involves minimal steps, safeguarding client privacy throughout the entire process. This user-friendly approach caters to clients who value discretion.

Receiving results is an uncomplicated journey, supporting the ease of use for both individuals and organizations. By maintaining confidentiality at every stage, we ensure that personal information remains private, making the process as seamless and discreet as possible.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Kokomo, MS, our hair follicle testing services combine affordability with rapid results. These tests are offered at competitive pricing, making them accessible for enterprises of varied scales, delivering significant value and peace of mind when ensuring a drug-free workplace.

The quick TURNAROUND associated with our tests ensures that stakeholders don't have to wait long to make informed decisions. This speedy yet cost-effective solution supports companies in maintaining safety and compliance without extending their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Kokomo, MS provide rapid and trustworthy results. Precision is at the core of our testing methodology, ensuring that substance use is accurately detected. By providing a detailed analysis, these tests guarantee that all traces of drugs are reliably identified, making this approach indispensable for those prioritizing accuracy and speed.

The efficiency of hair tests offers an unparalleled advantage in drug detection. With a swift turnaround, professionals and concerned parties in Kokomo can access results that reflect true substance use. The high accuracy of these tests ensures that each assessment is dependable, making them a preferred choice for thorough and prompt substance analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Kokomo, MS, using hair follicle testing aligns with maintaining drug-free workplace policies. This method supports compliance and minimizes the legal risks associated with workplace substance abuse. Peace of mind is achieved through reliable and thorough drug detection procedures.

The consistent and verified results from hair follicle testing help Kokomo employers uphold workplace safety standards. Employees and management alike can benefit from the knowledge that the workplace remains a secure environment, with drug-free policies effectively enforced through precise testing techniques.

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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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