Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Point, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended timeline of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. With samples gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeline of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The essential steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step involving the sample's integration into a lab's system. This step confirms that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for substance abuse. Though screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a verified positive result is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair in considerably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is a highly intricate methodology.

Confirmation of a positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if required. The full laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection periods.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical insight: It provides a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It typically takes about 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in East Point, AL Hair testing demonstrates clear advantages over urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests have shorter detection windows, hair tests provide extended insight into past drug use, invaluable for employers and judicial settings.

Employers in East Point benefit from choosing hair follicle tests due to their high resistance to tampering and longer detection period. Our hair testing services stand out as they reveal substance use histories up to 90 days, unmatched by traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in East Point, AL Hair follicle testing offers an exceptional detection window of up to 90 days, surpassing the timeframe provided by urine tests. This feature grants East Point employers a comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee’s substance use history.

With its capability to reflect prolonged periods of drug use, hair follicle testing in East Point becomes a vital tool for employers wishing to ensure a consistent drug-free environment, enabling informed hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in East Point, AL Hair follicle testing significantly decreases the likelihood of sample adulteration, delivering reliable and unquestionable results. The inherent nature of this testing method ensures minimal interference, bolstering confidence in the results delivered to East Point employers.

Employers in East Point can rely on hair testing as a tamper-proof method, knowing that its robust processes prevent manipulation, thus supporting workplaces’ integrity and compliance with drug policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in East Point, AL The presence of test centers nationwide and specifically in East Point ensures hassle-free access to drug testing services. Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process, offering convenience and promptness for every client.

East Point residents and employers benefit greatly from our strategically positioned test locations, guaranteeing efficient processing and rapid results, critical for addressing urgent testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in East Point, AL Our straightforward and confidential procedures ensure a seamless experience for all involved. Ordering, undertaking, and retrieving hair follicle test results in East Point is designed to protect privacy, addressing potential concerns of clients comprehensively.

Clients in East Point can rely on our discreet processes which guarantee personal data confidentiality, thus fostering trust and maintaining anonymity throughout the testing lifecycle.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in East Point, AL Accredited Drug Testing remains committed to offering competitively priced hair follicle testing services. Our quick turnaround times assure East Point businesses receive excellent value, irrespective of company size.

With a focus on affordability, our East Point hair follicle testing services provide cost-effective solutions, reinforcing our commitment to delivering both economic and operational efficiency for all clientele.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in East Point, AL Hair follicle drug tests provide results with remarkable speed and accuracy, crucial for identifying substance use effectively. Detection through this method minimizes the margin for error, making it a trusted choice for employers and professionals demanding precise analysis.

The methodological accuracy of hair follicle testing ensures that East Point businesses receive reliable insights into an individual’s drug history. This precision in result delivery helps maintain high screening standards and reinforces trust in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in East Point, AL Hair follicle testing aligns completely with workplace drug-free policies, substantially reducing legal risks while enhancing safety. By implementing these tests, East Point employers benefit from peace of mind, knowing they adhere to stringent compliance standards.

Embracing hair follicle testing assures East Point employers of robust policy enforcement, promoting a secure workplace and reducing potential liability associated with drug use incidents.

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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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