Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burlington, WY

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a valuable method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When sampled from near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample containing around 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis. For EtG, additional analyses, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is processed into the lab’s system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. While it is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screening must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Samples showing presumptive positive results require additional confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the sample for further Examination. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, which makes hair drug testing particularly intricate.

Confirmation of any positive screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 credentials.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Challenging to tamper: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insights: Hair testing reveals a history of drug usage over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier compared to other methods.
• Variability in results: Influences like hair color and personal growth rates can alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Trumps Urine Testing in Burlington, WY

• Hair tests provide a larger detection window, capturing a comprehensive history of use.
• The accuracy of hair tests is superior, making them more reliable.
• Urine tests may fail to detect long-term patterns, whereas hair tests excel in this area.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Burlington, WY

• Hair follicle testing provides insight into drug use over the past 90 days.
• This extended window allows employers to view a detailed substance history.
• Such comprehensive detection aids in making more informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Burlington, WY

• Hair follicle tests are notably resistant to tampering attempts.
• This method ensures reliable and unquestionable results by reducing sample adulteration risks.
• Employers can depend on these tests to maintain integrity and accuracy in their testing programs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Burlington, WY

• We boast an extensive network of nationwide testing centers, ensuring quick access.
• Our local presence in Burlington, WY, makes testing straightforward and hassle-free.
• With Accredited Drug Testing, easy and convenient testing is always within reach.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Burlington, WY

• Our testing process is designed to be simple and confidential.
• Concerns about privacy are addressed with our secure and discreet procedures.
• Clients can order, test, and receive results with ease and peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Burlington, WY

• We offer competitive pricing structures that fit any business size.
• Our fast turnaround times ensure quick results, no matter the scale.
• Accredited Drug Testing provides excellent value, reinforcing confidence and affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Burlington, WY, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their fast and precise detection capabilities. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring reliable results for all your testing needs.
Employers and individuals alike can trust in the swift and accurate outcomes provided by Accredited Drug Testing, allowing for more informed decisions and peace of mind in matters of substance usage.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Burlington, WY

• Using hair follicle testing helps maintain compliance with workplace drug policies.
• This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety in the workplace.
• Employers can trust this testing to uphold high standards of workplace integrity.

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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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