Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cahaba Heights, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers within the strands as it grows, offering a prolonged record of alcohol and substance use. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reflect a usage timeline extending roughly up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair harvesting is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A sample consisting of a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an alternative. The term "head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" encompasses all non-scalp hair types (including facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages of the lab procedure for processing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary integration of a specimen into a lab's system. It checks that the sample was securely sealed, correctly shipped, assigns it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a rapid preliminary assessment for illicit substances. Although Screening is an economical method of excluding drug use for most samples, a positive outcome must be verified for legal acceptability. Samples with a presumptive positive outcome in Screening undergo secondary confirmation.

For samples showing a positive indication in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. During Extraction, drugs are separated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

The Confirmation of any positive result derived from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before Confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for a period of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter scope.
• Resistance to manipulation: It is significantly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, hence improving the accuracy of the results.
• Historical insight: It reveals a chronic pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond recent use alone.

Limitations:

• Recent use detection: It requires roughly 5-7 days before substances become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to alternate testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often mislabeled as "hair follicle tests," this examination focuses on analyzing the hair strand rather than the hair follicle found beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Cahaba Heights, AL, hair testing showcases superior detection for long-term substance use. Its higher accuracy and reliability make it a preferred choice over typical urine tests. Employers can make informed decisions thanks to this precise testing method.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Cahaba Heights, AL, is its extended detection period. Spanning up to 90 days, it offers employers a broader view of an individual’s substance use history, thereby ensuring a thorough evaluation of their applicants or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Cahaba Heights, AL, significantly lower the risk of sample manipulation. With a process that provides reliable results, employers and authorities can have assurance in the integrity of the testing outcome, making it a trustworthy method against tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide and locally in Cahaba Heights, AL. This accessibility ensures clients can quickly access services without hassle, reinforcing our commitment to providing efficient and facilitated testing experiences everywhere.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Cahaba Heights, AL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From order to result, it addresses privacy concerns and ease of use, ensuring that clients receive a seamless experience throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Cahaba Heights, AL, ensure excellent value for companies. Regardless of size, businesses benefit from affordable testing solutions that offer peace of mind with cost-effective, timely reports.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cahaba Heights, AL, the hair follicle test stands out with its speed and accuracy in detecting drug use. The test's quick turn around and high precision ensure results are delivered efficiently without sacrificing reliability. Clients can trust the effectiveness of this method, setting it apart from other forms of drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Choosing hair follicle testing in Cahaba Heights, AL, helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies. It reduces potential legal risks and enhances safety, offering peace of mind through reliable testing processes that align with compliance requirements.

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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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