Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Argo, AL

What it is, How it works

The detection of drugs and alcohol has found a formidable ally in hair testing. Hair effectively absorbs biomarkers in its growing fibers, thus providing a comprehensive history. When procured near the scalp, hair offers a detection window for alcohol and drugs extending up to roughly 3 months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, its susceptibility to tampering is minimal, and transporting it is effortlessly manageable.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil), and cut close to the scalp, provides around 100mg of hair, perfect for verifying and screening. Higher quantities, such as 150mg, are advisable for tests over 10 panels including EtG add-ons. A jeweler’s scale is suggested for precise specimen weighing. Should scalp hair not be present, a comparable amount of body hair might be substituted. Scalp hair explicitly means hair atop the head, whereas body hair encompasses all other kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory assessment of a drug test outcome is completed in four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial procedural integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This process involves the verification of proper sealing and shipping, generating a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and managing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, initial drug presence checks are promptly conducted. Screening serves as a budget-friendly method for excluding drug use in most samples, yet a verified positive result is mandatory for court acceptability. Samples marked positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

In cases where samples test positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. At this juncture, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations relative to alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid testing), justifying its classification as the most challenging testing method.

Confirmation for any positive results from initial screenings is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumed positive samples undergo cleaning prior to confirmation if needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP’s (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and follows accreditation standards set by ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests provide detection capability for drug use extending up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to undermine: The difficulty in manipulating a hair drug test ensures the accuracy of results.
• Offers chronological insights: The testing reveals a drug usage timeline, beyond immediate recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to show recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing holds a higher cost relative to other forms of drug testing.
• Result variability: Hair characteristics such as color and individual growth variances can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests," analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Argo, AL, the hair follicle testing method is increasingly preferred over urine tests. One major advantage is its superior detection accuracy, which is vital for employers seeking reliable results. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides a more comprehensive substance use history, capturing evidence of drug use over a much longer period, offering higher reliability and less window for manipulation.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection capabilities of hair follicle tests in Argo, AL, make it a powerful tool for employers. While traditional urine tests have a limited detection period, hair testing offers a window of up to 90 days. This expanded timeframe provides employers and other entities with a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use history, enhancing decision-making and policy compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Argo, AL, provide a tamper-resistant solution. Unlike urine tests, where adulteration is a concern, the integrity of hair testing is hard to compromise. This method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, crucial for legal and employment scenarios. It's a preferred choice for those seeking assurance of authentic and accurate findings without the risk of sample tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our convenient nationwide network of testing centers, including local sites in Argo, AL, testing has never been easier. Our expansive reach ensures quick, hassle-free access to quality drug testing services across locations, making it simple for employers, courts, and individuals to undertake testing as needed without prolonged wait times or travel constraints.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle tests in Argo, AL, provide a simple and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed with privacy in mind, ensuring your personal data stays secure. Our process is straightforward, relieving any potential anxiety over privacy concerns and making testing accessible and stress-free for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for our hair follicle tests in Argo, AL. Our services provide excellent value, combining affordability with efficiency, which is ideal for businesses of all sizes. Our fast reporting process ensures employers receive the results they need promptly, keeping their operations seamless and cost-effective.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests available in Argo, AL, offer precision and speed in detecting substance use. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing boasts high accuracy, ensuring fast, reliable results that are critical for maintaining workplace safety and compliance. Our efficient process makes it easy for employers and courts to access detailed and dependable data swiftly, saving time and providing reassurance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Choosing hair follicle testing in Argo, AL, ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This method supports companies by reducing legal risks and enhancing safety, giving peace of mind to employers. As a reliable detection approach, it helps maintain a healthy work environment, assuring that policies are adhered to and potential liabilities are minimized.

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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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