Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Akron, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can archive a prolonged trace of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of a developing hair fiber. When taken from the area near the scalp, a hair specimen can reveal evidence of alcohol and drugs over nearly a 3-month span. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hair fibers (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) adjacent to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary assessments, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise gauging the sample weight with a jeweler's balance. If scalp hair is lacking, a comparable amount of body hair might be used for testing. Mentioning head hair implies referring to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing lab procedure encompasses four essential phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a specimen within a laboratory's framework. This step includes affirming that the specimen was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid verification for illicit substances. Although Screening offers an economical method to exclude drug consumption in most specimens, a positive Screening outcome must be substantiated to be permissible in legal contexts. Samples with presupposed positive results in Screening require additional authentication.

For a specimen showing presupposed positive results in the Screening phase, extra hair is sourced from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than those in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis represents one of the most challenging methodologies.

Validating any positive Screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presupposed positive specimens undergo cleansing before confirmation as required. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that offer a shorter detection timespan.
• Resistance to tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test is very difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical insights: It provides a record of drug usage over time, rather than just current use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes nearly 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations generally cost more than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Influences such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can affect drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Akron, AL, the preference for hair follicle testing over urine testing continues to grow, primarily due to superior detection accuracy. Traditional urine tests fall short in comparison to the accuracy that hair sampling provides.

Hair follicle testing offers reliable detection over extended periods, unlike urine tests. With a longer history of detection, employers gain a more comprehensive insight into substance use, ensuring greater workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

In Akron, AL, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, identifying drug usage over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This provides employers with a complete view of a candidate's or employee's substance history.

The extensive detection timeframe of hair tests is hugely beneficial to employers needing a detailed understanding of drug use patterns over time, aiding informed hiring and retention choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Akron, AL, is recognized for being tamper-resistant, reducing adulteration risks and providing credible results. Unlike other testing methods, tampering with hair samples is significantly harder.

The reliability of hair testing means employers can trust the results without concerns about sample manipulation, ensuring authenticity and trustworthiness in drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience in Akron, AL, is paramount with our extensive network of testing locations nationwide. This ensures quick, hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services for individuals and organizations alike.

The local and national presence of testing centers guarantees seamless support and accessibility, meeting diverse testing needs with ease around the clock.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Akron, AL, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and convenience. From ordering to results reception, the process prioritizes user discretion and ease of use.

Users can trust that their information remains secure throughout the testing, with a streamlined process that ensures confidentiality and efficiency from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times in Akron, AL, our hair follicle testing provides excellent value. Competitive pricing structures ensure cost-effectiveness for businesses of all sizes.

The quick processing of tests helps manage corporate budgets while maintaining the high standards necessary for quality workplace screening, offering dependable results rapidly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Akron, AL, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results, ensuring high precision in detecting substance use. Unlike traditional tests, hair analysis is not only swift but also exceptionally thorough, offering certainty when determining drug use.

The accuracy of hair follicle testing surpasses other methodologies, especially when timely and precise detection is vital. This ensures employers receive dependable information concisely for quick decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Akron employers, hair follicle testing offers compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and enhancing safety. This method ensures adherence to regulations while safeguarding employee well-being.

Using hair testing helps maintain company policies' integrity, ensuring peace of mind with tested and true methods of substance detection that support zero-tolerance environments.

Drug Testing Near Akron, AL

Big Sandy-Duncanville, AL

Boligee, AL

Mantua-West Greene, AL

Forkland, AL

River Bend, AL

Fosters, AL

Mount Herman Valley, AL

Clinton, AL

Greensboro, AL

Union, AL

Moundville, AL

Eutaw, AL

Sawyerville, AL

Cypress, AL

Stewart-Akron, AL

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