Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Green Park, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When acquired near the scalp, hair can illustrate an approximate 3-month detection period for substances. Its collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil's diameter) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, considered the best sample size for analysis and assurance. For extracurricular, supplemental, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. It is advisable to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" pertains to scalp hair alone, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair categories (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal activities in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is introduced into a lab's system. This step encompasses verifying the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents an initial test for substance abuse. As a cost-effective procedure to exclude drug consumption in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be validated to be considered acceptable in legal proceedings. All samples categorized as presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If presumptive positivity is detected at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drug compounds are isolated from hair at a concentration substantially lower than in alternative methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing the most complex methodology to implement.

Confirmation of any presumptive positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positive samples undergo a cleanse before confirmation as warranted. The complete laboratory progression from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification alongside the ISO/IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests hold a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, improving result accuracy.
• Provides chronological data: Showcases a drug use pattern over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to capture recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur a higher cost than other drug testing strategies.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand instead of the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Green Park, MO
Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests with its enhanced detection capabilities and reliability. This method guarantees superior accuracy, uncovering substance usage patterns that urine tests might miss.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Green Park, MO
With the ability to trace substance usage for up to 90 days, hair follicle tests offer employers a holistic view of a candidate or employee's drug history, facilitating informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Green Park, MO
Hair follicle tests virtually eliminate the chance of sample tampering, delivering results that are both reliable and irrefutable, providing peace of mind to stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Green Park, MO
Our wide network of testing centers across the nation ensures easy and swift access to testing services, guaranteeing a smooth and hassle-free experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Green Park, MO
The straightforward and private procedure for requesting, undertaking, and obtaining test results addresses concerns of privacy while ensuring ease of use for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Green Park, MO
Our competitive pricing plans paired with rapid result delivery offer great value, catering to businesses of every size and providing reassurance through swift service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Green Park, MO
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. Individuals and employers can rely on their consistent accuracy to identify substance use, ensuring a dependable evaluation of one's recent history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Green Park, MO
Choosing hair follicle testing assists employers in adhering to drug-free policies, thus minimizing legal liabilities and boosting safety in the workplace.

Drug Testing Near Green Park, MO

Crestwood, MO

Lemay, MO

Marlborough, MO

Mattese, MO

Wilbur Park, MO

Sappington, MO

Grantwood Village, MO

St. George, MO

Affton, MO

Mehlville, MO

Concord, MO

Lakeshire, 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.

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