Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Glenwood, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended record of alcohol and substance intake by encasing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month timeframe for alcohol and substance usage. Harvesting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch piece of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is considered the perfect sample for examination and validation. For EtG, supplemental options, and/or assays exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key stages in processing drug test results in the lab comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is considered presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction preparation. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a markedly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can exhibit drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a reduced detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Provides historical data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over an extended timeframe, not just immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be observable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug screening methods.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Glenwood, MO, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests through several advantages. Superior detection accuracy is one critical benefit, as hair tests reliably track drug use over prolonged periods. Their effectiveness is unmatched, offering consistent results that afford employers and judicial professionals confidence in the testing outcomes compared to customary urine assessments.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers in Glenwood, MO, an unmatched ability to evaluate an individual's substance use history. This method provides a comprehensive view of both past and ongoing drug activities, ensuring that employers can make well-informed hiring or management decisions based on a thorough substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing procedure in Glenwood, MO, minimizes the possibilities for sample tampering, thanks to its stringent collection methods. This tamper-resistant testing technique assures employers of the authenticity and reliability of results, as hair samples are less susceptible to manipulation compared to urine samples, thereby ensuring sound decisions based on undoubted data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including local locations in Glenwood, MO, offers tremendous ease of access. With convenient site availability, individuals and employers can enjoy a seamless testing process. Quick and straightforward booking facilitates timely access to testing services, rendering the experience hassle-free for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing service in Glenwood, MO, is crafted to be simple and confidential. From the initial order to the sample collection and result delivery, every step prioritizes user privacy and ease of use. This process addresses concerns regarding confidentiality while ensuring that clients remain informed and satisfied with the entire experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Glenwood, MO, Accredited Drug Testing provides affordable pricing alongside rapid turnaround for hair tests. Our competitive cost structures and efficient result delivery present excellent value. Employers of varying sizes can benefit from our services, ensuring financial feasibility without compromising on the quality and timeliness of test outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Glenwood, MO, guarantees fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method detects substance use with an exceptional level of accuracy which surpasses traditional testing methods. Emphasizing speed and precision, hair tests provide definitive insights into a subject's drug habits, making it a preferred choice for employers seeking reliable data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Glenwood, MO, allows businesses to adhere confidently to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only ensures compliance but also enhances workplace peace of mind by reducing exposure to legal risks. Providing a safe and secure work environment becomes attainable with the dependable results from hair testing.

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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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