Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pine Lawn, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a powerful instrument for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers an extensive history of substances by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When collected near the scalp, it can provide approximately a 90-day detection window for various substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields about 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for evaluation and verification. For EtG testing and/or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be collected. In discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory system. This process involves ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.

Screening performs a preliminary test for drugs of abuse. While screening is a cost-effective method to discount drug use for most samples, any positive results need confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that are positive after Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For samples that test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair testing the most challenging method to undertake.

Confirmation of positive screening results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumed positive samples undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is assessed per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair tests can capture drug use over a span of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have more limited windows.
• High accuracy: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, leading to more truthful results.
• Historical insight: These tests can map a history of drug consumption over time, not limited to the recent past.

Limitations:

• Not for recent use detection: Drugs take about 5-7 days post-use to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair tests come with a higher price tag compared to other methodologies.
• Result variation: Factors like hair coloring and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pine Lawn, MO
Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. With hair tests, there is a broader detection window, and they are less prone to tampering. This means that employers in Pine Lawn, MO, can trust the results and have a clearer insight into drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Pine Lawn, MO
Hair follicle testing provides a substantial advantage by detecting drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This longer detection window allows employers in Pine Lawn, MO, to glean a comprehensive understanding of a person's drug consumption history, which is invaluable for making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pine Lawn, MO
The nature of hair follicle tests significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, making this method reliable. It offers trustworthy results that cannot be easily manipulated, unlike other testing methods, ensuring confidence in the outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pine Lawn, MO
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation ensures that residents of Pine Lawn, MO, have quick and hassle-free access to testing services. The convenience of local centers means efficient and timely access to necessary drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Pine Lawn, MO
The process of ordering and undertaking a hair follicle test in Pine Lawn, MO, is straightforward and maintains the highest standards of confidentiality. Clients can rest assured that privacy is upheld from the moment an order is placed to when results are received.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pine Lawn, MO
We offer competitive pricing structures paired with swift turnaround times for our hair follicle testing in Pine Lawn, MO. Clients can enjoy excellent value and peace of mind, catering to the needs of businesses of all sizes with efficiency and affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pine Lawn, MO
The precision offered by hair follicle drug tests in Pine Lawn, MO, is unmatched. These tests ensure rapid and accurate detection of substance use, providing invaluable data to both employers and individuals. Their high accuracy ensures that the results are trustworthy and dependable for making crucial decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pine Lawn, MO
Employing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies in Pine Lawn, MO. This method mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing employers peace of mind while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

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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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