Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Burnsville, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-term indicators of alcohol and other substance use by capturing biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair shaft. When taken from near the scalp, hair can present a detection period of approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) from the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any residual data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial, rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, to be valid in legal situations, a positive screen must undergo confirmation. Any samples that return a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the primary specimen is utilized for Extraction preparation. At this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at a considerably lower concentration than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug testing is deemed the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to falsify: It is exceedingly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides chronological data: It supplies a history of drug usage over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair within approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Burnsville, AL

In Burnsville, AL, hair follicle testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests. The detection accuracy of hair tests is superior, providing a more reliable analysis of substance use. This method allows for the identification of drug use over a longer period, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation that urine tests can't match.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Burnsville, AL

Hair follicle testing in Burnsville, AL, provides an extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of substance use history. This thorough overview allows employers to assess an individual’s long-term drug use patterns, offering critical insights into their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Burnsville, AL

One of the key strengths of hair follicle tests in Burnsville, AL, is their resistance to tampering. This testing method reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, delivering results that are both reliable and unquestionable, a vital factor for organizations enforcing strict compliance policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Burnsville, AL

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations both nationwide and locally in Burnsville, AL. Our centers ensure that accessing testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free, allowing individuals and businesses to receive the assistance they need without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Burnsville, AL

The process for hair follicle testing in Burnsville, AL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering a test to taking it and receiving results, every step prioritizes ease of use and privacy, addressing concerns about confidentiality and enhancing user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Burnsville, AL

Our hair follicle testing services in Burnsville, AL, are competitively priced with fast turnaround times. This ensures that companies of all sizes receive excellent value while obtaining quick results, offering peace of mind without the burden of excessive costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Burnsville, AL

In Burnsville, AL, hair follicle drug tests offer an exceptional combination of speed and accuracy, making them a reliable choice for detecting substance use. Compared to other methods, these tests deliver high-precision results in a timely manner, ensuring that individuals and organizations can make informed decisions without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Burnsville, AL

Employers in Burnsville, AL, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This method minimizes legal risks and enhances overall safety, providing peace of mind by supporting a clear, zero-tolerance stance on drug use.

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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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