Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brookwood, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair presents an extensive historical record of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers roughly a 3-month detection range for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (roughly the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample amount for analysis. For EtG extensions, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weight is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair is suitable. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes any other hair forms (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Overview of the Process

The four essential steps in a lab's drug testing process include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary phase where a specimen enters the lab’s workflow. This phase involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary drug abuse assessment. Screening is an economical method to exclude drug presence in most samples, yet a positive result must be affirmed to be legally admissible. Any samples that show a positive result during Screening must go through a subsequent confirmation step.

If a sample shows as positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a lower concentration level compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging method to conduct.

Positive results from the screening phase are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing initial positive indications undergo a wash prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning through to Confirmation undergoes review according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can reveal drug intake for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Reduced chance of deception: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Historical insight: Provides a drug usage pattern over time, not only recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent drug use: It generally takes 5-7 days for substances to become visible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly compared to alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can modify drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug testing in Brookwood, AL, hair follicle tests offer distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. One significant advantage is the superior detection capability, as hair samples provide more consistent and reliable information about an individual's drug use history. Additionally, hair testing is much less susceptible to manipulation, further supporting its credibility and dependability.

Extended Detection Window

In Brookwood, AL, hair follicle testing provides a prolonged detection window, unlike other methods, capturing drug use over a much longer timeframe. By offering detection for up to 90 days, employers can gain insights into a candidate’s or employee's substance consumption history, painting a clear picture of potential long-term drug use to ensure a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Brookwood, AL, serve as a tamper-resistant method of drug testing. This approach notably minimizes the chances of sample adulteration, as altering or substituting hair samples is exceedingly difficult. The integrity and trustworthiness provided by these tests offer irrefutable results, proving their reliability in instances where accuracy is paramount.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations nationwide and in Brookwood, AL. Our centers offer quick, simple, and hassle-free testing processes. With an extensive network, access to hair follicle testing is seamless, ensuring all populations can effortlessly engage in comprehensive drug testing without delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Brookwood, AL, is designed to be simple and confidential. The ordering procedure is straightforward, and test results are delivered with privacy as a priority. Participants can trust in the transparent process and rest assured that all information remains secure while receiving accurate and prompt feedback.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With a focus on affordable pricing, hair follicle testing in Brookwood, AL, offers excellent value alongside fast turnaround times. Competitive pricing options ensure companies of all sizes can benefit from high-quality testing services without financially overstretching. Enjoy swift services and cost effectiveness for comprehensive drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests make them a standout option in Brookwood, AL. These tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable outcomes, effectively identifying substance presence in the individual. Conducted in a timely manner, these tests meet the demand for immediate results without compromising on accuracy, ensuring dependable insights into substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Brookwood, AL, can gain peace of mind by implementing hair follicle testing to assure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces potential legal ramifications but also enhances overall safety. Through accurate detection and compliance, it safeguards workplaces against the risks associated with substance abuse, promoting healthier work environments.

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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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