Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lithium, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands during growth. When collected close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect hair, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch cluster of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) cut nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, enhanced screenings, or tests above 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types, such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The main stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a lab's system. This process ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not already available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result during screening must be confirmed for court acceptability. Any samples that test presumptively positive must undergo a supplementary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are derived from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to conduct.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives are cleansed as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a 90-day period, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Harder to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals usage patterns: It illustrates a drug use pattern over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variance: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," this test actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lithium, MO, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine tests by offering extensive detection windows and robust accuracy. While urine tests may miss sporadic use due to shorter detection times, hair testing covers up to three months, providing a more reliable view of an individual's substance use history. This comprehensive insight is invaluable for maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lithium, MO, stands out with its expansive detection period, reaching up to 90 days. This feature enables employers to gain a detailed understanding of an applicant's or employee's substance use history over the long term, reinforcing the thoroughness of their screening process and ensuring safer workplace practices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lithium, MO, the reliability of hair follicle testing is unmatched due to its tamper-resistant nature. With this method, the chances of sample tampering or adulteration are drastically reduced, providing results that employers can trust. This security aspect is crucial in maintaining integrity in drug testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Lithium, MO residents benefit from a network of nationwide and local centers dedicated to hair follicle testing. This accessibility guarantees that testing services are not only reliable but also convenient, allowing easy scheduling and minimal disruption to busy lifestyles. Quick access ensures seamless participation in testing programs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lithium, MO, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ordering a test, collecting samples, and receiving results are simple steps handled with discretion. This confidentiality respects individual privacy, making the testing process stress-free and user-friendly for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround in Lithium, MO, hair follicle testing provides substantial value for businesses. Our affordability, paired with quick result delivery, supports efficient decision-making processes, accommodating companies of various sizes and ensuring a sound investment in workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Lithium, MO, is unmatched. These tests offer rapid results without sacrificing accuracy, enabling swift decision-making for employers. Their high sensitivity ensures that even trace amounts of substances do not escape detection, making them a trusted option for thorough drug screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Lithium, MO, ensures employer compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities. By providing accurate and thorough results, this testing method enhances workplace safety and provides peace of mind for employers committed to maintaining a safe, drug-free environment.

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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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