Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Livonia, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to ship.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing around 200 strands of hair (comparable to the dimensions of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's suggested to use 150mg of the hair specimen. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we are specifically talking about scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary four steps in laboratory handling of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial processing of a sample into a laboratory's database. This involves checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient technique to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples indicating presumptively positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to conduct.

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

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection window.
• Hard to deceive: It's very challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring the results are more reliable.
• Historical data provision: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to indicate recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Livonia, MO

• Hair tests provide extended detection capability compared to the limited timeframe of urine tests.
• The process boasts higher reliability and accuracy, reducing false negatives.
• It effectively monitors long-term substance use, which urine tests may not detect.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Livonia, MO

• Hair follicle testing offers an exceptional detection duration of up to 90 days.
• Employers can gain a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use history.
• This prolonged window provides a clear picture of behavioral patterns over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Livonia, MO

• Hair follicle tests are less prone to manipulation compared to other methods.
• The method delivers trustworthy outcomes, minimizing adulteration risks.
• This ensures that results remain consistent and unchallengeable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Livonia, MO

• We offer a network of accessible testing centers across the country, including Livonia, MO.
• These facilities ensure a streamlined and hassle-free experience for all clients.
• Easily accessible locations provide swift and convenient testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Livonia, MO

• The process for ordering, conducting, and receiving test results is straightforward and discreet.
• Our approach addresses confidentiality concerns, ensuring privacy at every step.
• Users benefit from an easy-to-navigate system that prioritizes user comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Livonia, MO

• We provide competitive rates coupled with quick delivery times for test results.
• Businesses of all sizes appreciate our value-driven services with efficient results.
• This approach offers peace of mind, balancing quality and cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Livonia, MO

• With hair follicle drug testing, results offer unmatched precision and speed.
• These tests are designed to accurately detect a wide range of substances, ensuring high reliability.
• Clients in Livonia, MO benefit from timely results that substantially surpass traditional testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Livonia, MO

• Employers achieve compliance with stringent workplace drug-free regulations.
• Using hair testing minimizes legal exposures and fosters a safe work environment.
• It guarantees adherence to internal policies and government mandates, ensuring seamless operations.

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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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