Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Union, MO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is considered a robust method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximate 3-month detection span for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches long consisting of about 200 hairs (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verifying results. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of the sample. We advise checking the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers only to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about the initial incorporation of a sample into the lab's system. This step involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick test for substances of abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples presumptively positive in Screening require secondary verification.

For samples testing presumptively positive at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to perform.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All presumptive positive samples are washed in preparation for confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated 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 period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days back, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a pattern of drug usage over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Union, MO, the benefits of hair follicle testing clearly outshine traditional urine analysis. Hair testing's extended detection capability provides a more accurate reflection of an individual's substance use, covering up to 90 days, unlike the shorter detection window of urine tests.

Employers favor hair tests over urine tests for their superior accuracy and robustness. This testing method ensures that substance use will be detected reliably, reducing deceptive practices often linked to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Union, MO sees the advantage of hair follicle testing as it offers an expansive detection period, capturing drug use data up to 90 days. This prolonged detection window is pivotal for employers who seek an extensive review of a candidate's or employee's substance use history.

With its ability to reveal a detailed record of drug consumption, hair testing provides insight far beyond what other methods can offer, empowering organizations with comprehensive data for informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Union, MO, hair follicle testing stands as a highly tamper-resistant option. This method notably minimizes the chances of adulteration or substitution commonly observed in other testing modalities, ensuring integrity and trustworthiness of the results.

Due to its resilience against tampering, hair testing provides assurance of unblemished, authentic outcomes, reinforcing judgment based on unchecked and tamper-free evidence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing prides itself on having a network of nationwide testing centers, including local facilities in Union, MO, ensuring convenient access. This structure guarantees that testing services are accessible swiftly and simply, without unnecessary hassle.

The ease and breadth of availability make it possible for individuals to receive testing services on-demand, empowering them to comply with necessary requirements efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Union, MO, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step maintains privacy, addressing concerns with ease of use and ensuring personal information is protected.

The simplicity of the process alleviates user stress and guarantees a seamless experience, allowing individuals and organizations to focus on actionable results rather than procedural complexity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For organizations in Union, MO, Accredited Drug Testing provides cost-effective pricing options and fast processing times. This combination affords businesses excellent value, securing efficient resource management regardless of company size.

Quick turnaround times coupled with competitive pricing deliver peace of mind, demonstrating Accredited Drug Testing’s commitment to exceptional service without compromising on quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Choosing hair follicle testing in Union, MO ensures fast, accurate, and dependable results when detecting drug use. This method provides unparalleled precision in identifying a wide range of substances, catering to both employers and individuals who demand the utmost in testing efficiency.

Due to their comprehensive nature, hair follicle tests far surpass other methods in speed and reliability, promptly delivering results that employers and individuals can trust, reflecting the actual substance use history without question.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Union, MO, employing hair follicle testing offers essential compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This testing method significantly lowers legal exposure and fosters a safer, more secure work environment for all employees.

Adopting such robust testing protocols not only meets regulatory demands but also ensures continual peace of mind, affirming employer dedication to safety and compliance across the workforce.

Drug Testing Near Union, MO

Bellefontaine, MS

Abbeville, LA

Deville, LA

Clermont, IN

Colbert, WA

Paris, IL

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews