Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bazemore, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means of identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures markers within the fibers during its growth, offering a detailed history of drug and alcohol use. When collected close to the scalp, it can reveal substance usage for nearly a three-month period. The collection of hair is straightforward, its tampering is relatively challenging, and it can be easily sent for further analysis.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for initial and confirmatory screening. For tests involving EtG, extras, or those exceeding 10 panels, a larger sample of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample is advised. In cases where scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair only, while 'body hair' encompasses all other forms of hair (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

There are four core steps in lab processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, issues a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data omitted from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary inspection to detect drug abuse. Although it is cost-efficient for ruling out drug usage on a majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples with an apparent positive in the Screening demand a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows an initial positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the existing sample for the Extraction process. In this stage, drug extraction happens at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening more complex.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with preliminary positives are thoroughly washed before confirmation if necessary. The overall lab process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—adheres to both the CAP Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests typically cover a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Shows usage patterns: Allows insight into drug use over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drug presence in hair becomes detectable only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: They tend to be pricier compared to other drug test methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal variations in hair growth may influence drug metabolites' concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superiority over Urine Testing
Hair follicle testing in Bazemore, AL, offers distinct advantages over urine tests. While urine tests are useful for recent detection, hair tests provide a broader history of substance use, enhancing the decision-making process for employers.

Enhanced Detection Accuracy
Unlike urine tests, which may miss some long-term drug use cases, hair tests in Bazemore deliver superior detection capabilities, making them a preferable choice for comprehensive drug testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extending the Detection Timeline
Bazemore, AL, offers hair follicle testing that can track drug use for up to 90 days, providing employers with information on an individual's longer-term substance history, which can be vital for informed employment decisions.

Comprehensive Substance Insight
The extended window of detection ensures that employers in Bazemore gain insightful data about a subject's drug use patterns over months, rather than mere days.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Proof Testing
Hair follicle tests in Bazemore, AL, significantly reduce alteration risks when compared to other methods. This security measure ensures that the test results remain credible and indisputable.

Confidence in Results
The resistance to tampering provided by hair follicle testing offers reassurance to employers and legal authorities that the data reflects true drug use patterns without manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Accessibility
Hair follicle testing is conveniently accessible across Bazemore, AL, and nationwide. Our extensive network allows easy and efficient access to testing services wherever needed.

Local and Easy Access
In Bazemore, testing facilities are strategically positioned to provide hassle-free service. This setup ensures rapid accessibility for all testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Confidential Process
In Bazemore, AL, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering to result retrieval, addressing client concerns holistically.

Effortless Testing Experience
The straightforward procedures in Bazemore make the hair testing not only private but also user-friendly, enhancing the overall testing experience for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective Solutions
In Bazemore, AL, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality or speed, providing significant value to businesses.

Rapid Turnaround for Results
Our swift processing times in Bazemore ensure quick results, allowing companies to proceed responsibly without delays, optimizing operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Accurate and Swift Detection
In Bazemore, AL, the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug testing are unparalleled. The technique stands out for its ability to deliver highly accurate results that identify substance use with remarkable clarity, aiding in swift decision-making.

Consistency in Results
The hair follicle drug tests in Bazemore are reliable and consistent, minimizing the likelihood of false positives or negatives. This reduces the ambiguity linked with traditional testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance Assurance
For employers in Bazemore, AL, integrating hair follicle testing aids in complying with drug-free workplace policies. This strategy helps in avoiding legal issues while maintaining a safe work environment.

Promoting Workplace Safety
The use of hair testing supports employers in Bazemore by ensuring employees adhere to safety regulations, fostering a secure work culture and minimizing risk.

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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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