Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chandler Springs, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drugs by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair fibers (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for verification and testing. For EtG, additional tests, and evaluations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample in a lab’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires equivalent confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Any samples that show presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and set for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to deceive: It is highly challenging to fool a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can show a pattern of drug use over a period of time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Attributes like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Chandler Springs, AL
Hair follicle testing trumps urine tests due to its superior detection duration and reliability. It detects substances over a 90-day span, a feature urine testing lacks, thus providing a thorough insight into an individual's substance history.

This comprehensive approach against traditional urine tests ensures better detection of drug use patterns, allowing employers and courts to make informed decisions based on more substantial evidence.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Chandler Springs, AL
Empowered with a detection range of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers a detailed view into a person’s past substance use. It provides a more complete history, which assists employers in making informed choices regarding potential hires or current employees.

This extended detection period surpasses that of urine testing, ensuring thorough screening for substance misuse and reinforcing strict operational standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Chandler Springs, AL
Hair follicle tests largely eliminate the risk of tampering, ensuring the integrity of test samples. This resistance to adulteration yields results that are both reliable and unquestionable, key in maintaining a transparent testing environment.

This method’s resilience to manipulation provides employers and legal entities with confidence in the authenticity of the test outcomes, making it a preferred choice over other methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Chandler Springs, AL
Our expansive network of testing centers nationwide guarantees effortless access to services. It is designed to provide a smooth and stress-free experience, to accommodate clients’ needs swiftly and efficiently.

Whether at local facilities or through nationwide options, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that drug testing is as accessible and convenient as possible for all clients in diverse locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Chandler Springs, AL
Our seamless, confidential testing process embodies simplicity from ordering to result retrieval. Clients can trust in both the privacy and the ease of the experience, knowing their information remains secure.

Confidence in our process is bolstered by straightforward procedures, making testing accessible and nonintrusive, while respecting personal privacy rights at every stage of testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Chandler Springs, AL
With competitive rates and quick results, our service model represents exceptional value for businesses of varying sizes. We prioritize both economic efficiency and timely delivery, to align with business needs.

Our affordable pricing structure, combined with swift turnaround times, ensures clients receive maximum value, minimizing disruption and maximizing focus on core business activities.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Chandler Springs, AL
Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision, swiftly identifying substance use with high accuracy. The speed and reliability ensure that results are delivered promptly, providing peace of mind for all parties involved.

With its meticulous analysis methods, hair testing detects even trace substances, assuring dependable results. This reliability caters particularly to those situations demanding utmost accuracy in drug screening processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Chandler Springs, AL
Incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace compliance policies not only ensures adherence to drug-free policies but also diminishes legal threats. Employers benefit from enhanced safety and reduced liability concerns.

This methodological approach fortifies workplace integrity, giving employers peace of mind while upholding regulatory standards crucial for operational success and employee welfare.

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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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