Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Matthews, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer a detection range for alcohol and drugs lasting up to roughly 3 months. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be missing, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. References to head hair mean only scalp hair, while body hair denotes any other hair type (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process entails verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not encompassed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary quick assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening provides a cost-effective method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Presumptive positives in Screening indeed require subsequent confirmation.

Upon identifying a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The whole laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Difficult to evade: It's quite challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage patterns: Offers insight into a history of drug use over time, not just recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors including hair color and individual growth variance can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Matthews, MO, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing by offering enhanced detection accuracy across a broader spectrum of substances. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair tests provide more reliable results and are less susceptible to manipulation. This superior methodology ensures employers and professionals garner trustworthy insights, reinforcing their confidence in choosing hair testing over urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period, spanning up to 90 days, which serves as a powerful tool for employers in Matthews, MO. This extensive window provides a comprehensive history of substance use, offering a profound understanding of an individual’s habits over time. The longer detection span ensures that employers confidently assess an applicant's or employee's long-term sobriety and commitment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Matthews, MO, hair follicle drug tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, ensuring dependable results. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are resistant to adulteration, thus preserving the integrity of the sample. This inherent strength makes hair testing a favored choice, building trust in the testing process and the results it yields.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers spread nationwide, including Matthews, MO, access to hair follicle tests has never been more convenient. Our expansive network ensures that testing is readily available, offering a quick and seamless process. This unparalleled access minimizes the logistical challenges of drug testing, making it stress-free for employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The procedure for hair follicle drug testing in Matthews, MO is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every stage. From ordering the test to receiving results, the process is designed for ease of use. This commitment to confidentiality alleviates concerns, providing participants with the assurance that their information remains secure throughout the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Matthews, MO, our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle drug testing offer exceptional value. Businesses of varying sizes benefit from the affordable price structure, which does not compromise the quality of service. Fast results and competitive costs provide peace of mind, making drug testing accessible and feasible for all organizational needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Renowned for expeditious and precise outcomes, hair follicle drug tests in Matthews, MO, are a paradigm of accuracy. These tests swiftly identify substance use, making them indispensable for immediate needs. The adept detection credentials set hair follicle tests apart, offering unmatched accuracy and reliability, which employers highly value when making critical employment decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Matthews, MO, gain substantial peace of mind using hair follicle testing to maintain compliance with drug-free policies. This testing method mitigates legal risks and bolsters workplace safety, ensuring organizations meet regulatory obligations with confidence. The reliability of hair tests fosters a safer and more compliant work 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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