Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bakersfield, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a highly effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection window of approximately three months for alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 hairs (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides around 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, extended tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It's recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types like facial or axillary.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial step for integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This process confirms that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment to determine potential drug abuse. Though it is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, positive screens must be verified to be court-valid. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample tests as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Confirmation for any positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Tampering with hair drug tests is quite tough, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: They offer an overview of drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair samples.
• Cost: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bakersfield, MO, hair follicle testing provides unparalleled advantages over urine tests. Hair analysis can detect substances for up to 90 days, offering a broad detection window that urine tests can't match. This increased timeframe enables employers to gain a more comprehensive view of substance use habits.

Moreover, hair tests boast superior accuracy compared to urine tests, with fewer false positives. This reliability ensures that only genuine results are considered, reducing the risk of misinterpretation.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing traditional urine tests, especially in Bakersfield, MO. This lengthy timeframe allows employers to gain a clearer understanding of an individual's substance use history.

With such a broad detection period, employers can confidently assess an applicant or employee's reliability and past decisions, ensuring informed hiring and retention choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests employed in Bakersfield, MO, are highly resistant to tampering. Their straightforward testing process drastically reduces the chances of sample adulteration, ensuring uncompromised results.

The inherent qualities of hair analysis make it nearly impossible to alter results, safeguarding the integrity of the test and providing trustworthy outcomes for employers.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing in Bakersfield, MO, boasts convenient nationwide testing centers, simplifying the drug testing process. With numerous locations, individuals can access services swiftly and without hassle.

Our expansive network ensures that clients, regardless of their whereabouts, can easily undergo testing, supporting timeliness and convenience in compliance with workplace requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bakersfield, MO, Accredited Drug Testing ensures a simple, confidential process for conducting hair drug tests. Privacy remains paramount throughout every step, from ordering to testing and receiving results.

Our streamlined procedures safeguard personal information, making it easy for individuals and employers to engage in drug testing with confidence, knowing their privacy is respected.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, Accredited Drug Testing provides excellent value for hair follicle testing services in Bakersfield, MO. We focus on ensuring affordability without compromising on quality.

Fast turnaround times add to our appeal, allowing businesses of all sizes to benefit from precise, timely results without breaking the bank, fostering a supportive environment for employers and employees alike.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For those seeking fast, precise drug testing in Bakersfield, MO, hair follicle tests are the ideal solution. Renowned for their accuracy, these tests can swiftly detect a wide array of substances, ensuring reliable results upon which employers can base crucial decisions.

The higher detection accuracy of hair tests makes them a preferred choice, enabling stakeholders to trust the integrity of the results. The efficient turnaround time further enhances their appeal, making them a top choice for many.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bakersfield, MO, can achieve peace of mind and improve compliance with workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. This method mitigates legal risks associated with drug misuse and fosters a safer, more productive working environment.

Implementing this testing strategy assures employers that their teams adhere to set standards, promoting both safety and trust within the organization.

Drug Testing Near Bakersfield, MO

Rover, MO

Thornfield, MO

White Church, MO

Theodosia, MO

Wasola, MO

Koshkonong, MO

Sundown, MO

Gentryville, MO

Brandsville, MO

Pontiac, MO

Willhoit, MO

West Plains, MO

Lanton, MO

Gainesville, MO

Caulfield, MO

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews