Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Concordia, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of substance biomarkers by embedding them within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, a hair sample can offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and can be easily mailed.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10 panel tests, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair might be gathered. By head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for laboratory processing of a substance test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This encompasses ensuring the sample’s seal and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid test for substance misuse. While cost-effective for ruling out substance use in the majority of samples, a positive screening needs confirmation to be acceptable in legal settings. Samples with initial positive outcomes in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

Should a sample yield a positive result in Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair substance analysis is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if required. The comprehensive processing from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug examinations can uncover substance use for as many as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: It is exceptionally challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Tracks historical consumption: It can reveal a consumption pattern over time, rather than merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires roughly 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair hue and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the test directly analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle situated beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing
In Concordia, MO, hair follicle tests offer significant advantages over urine tests. Unlike urine testing, hair samples provide a longer detection window, capturing substance use over months. Hair testing minimizes the likelihood of evasion tactics that can compromise urine test reliability. Thus, it represents a superior, non-intrusive, and robust option for decisive drug use assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Concordia, MO
One notable advantage of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended timeline of up to 90 days. This longer window provides a comprehensive analysis of an individual's substance history, helping employers in Concordia, MO, understand prolonged use patterns and make more informed decisions regarding candidates' and employees' past behaviors.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle tests in Concordia, MO, offer a formidable defense against sample tampering, ensuring the integrity of test results. These tests are conducted under supervised conditions, drastically reducing the potential for manipulation. Consequently, they provide dependable results that can be trusted by all stakeholders, from employers to legal entities, reinforcing faith in the process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations
Offering convenience at its best, our Concordia, MO, location is part of a nationwide network of testing centers. This extensive reach ensures accessible, efficient, and hassle-free testing for all clients. Regardless of location, individuals and organizations benefit from prompt service and the ease of accessing reliable drug testing facilities nearby.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Concordia, MO, the procedure for hair follicle testing is both straightforward and discreet. Individuals can easily order tests, perform sample collections, and receive results with full privacy. This process not only ensures confidentiality but also promotes ease of use, addressing any concerns and fostering confidence in the overall testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Concordia, MO, accessible to businesses of all sizes. The cost-effectiveness of our services, coupled with rapid delivery of results, provides exceptional value that resonates with both employers' needs and budget considerations, contributing to peace of mind across all sectors.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Concordia, MO, hair follicle testing stands out for its impressive speed, precision, and accuracy. These tests deliver reliable insights into an individual's drug history, ensuring employers, courts, and professionals make well-informed decisions swiftly and with confidence. This quick and precise approach revolutionizes drug testing with the assurance of dependable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Concordia, MO, enhances compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal exposure and promoting a safer working environment. Employers gain assurance with this method, as it aligns with rigorous regulatory standards and offers a safeguard against potential litigation related to drug use in the workplace.

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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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