Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Borden Springs, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has garnered a reputation as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a roughly 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. This method is easy to collect, less prone to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising around 200 strands of hair (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, deemed the optimal sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key phases in lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails an initial rapid check for substance use. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be permissible in court. Samples that test preliminarily positive in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample tests preliminarily positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the starting specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing stands as the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Delivers historical insights: It can depict a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Borden Springs, AL, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing with its superior detection accuracy. Why choose hair tests? They uncover drug use over a longer period, offering reliability not seen in urine tests. With urine tests, recent use may be detected, but hair tests provide a comprehensive view, minimizing the chances of errors and ensuring a more complete analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Borden Springs, AL, stands out due to its extended detection window of up to 90 days. Long-term insights into substance use help employers evaluate an individual's history comprehensively. This extended timeframe far exceeds the capabilities of traditional testing methods, providing a fuller picture of drug activity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Employers in Borden Springs, AL, often prefer hair follicle testing for its tamper-resistant qualities. By dramatically reducing the risk of sample adulteration, hair tests ensure the integrity of results. This method is designed to eliminate uncertainty, offering trusted and undisputable findings for critical employment and legal decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Access to testing in Borden Springs, AL, is seamless with our nationwide and local centers. Convenient locations ensure that no matter where you are, testing is accessible and straightforward. This wide network minimizes travel and waiting times, making the testing process as efficient as possible for individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Borden Springs, AL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, the process prioritizes ease of use and privacy. Seamless procedures ensure confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns while maintaining straightforward interactions and quick turnarounds.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Borden Springs, AL, hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround. Employers of all sizes benefit from affordable options that provide value and assurance. Quick result delivery coupled with reasonable rates enhances peace of mind, allowing for informed decision-making without breaking the budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Borden Springs, AL, deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of hair testing allows for thorough detection of substance use. Fast and efficient, these tests offer a high accuracy level that is difficult to achieve with other methods. Timely results ensure decisions can be made swiftly, supporting urgent needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Choosing hair follicle tests in Borden Springs, AL, helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. The peace of mind that comes from knowing tests are reliable and align with legal standards is invaluable. Employers can confidently enforce policies, minimizing risks and fostering a safer work environment.

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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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