Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Geiger, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent instrument for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair may be acquired. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug testing consists of four core stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s system. This entails ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples that appear positive during Screening must undergo an additional confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is implemented using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection timeframe.
• Challenge to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Historical usage insight: It can present a pattern of drug usage across a timeframe, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Lack of detection for recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Geiger, AL, offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Among these, the most notable is its extended detection window, allowing for the identification of drug use over a much longer period, up to 90 days. This ensures a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a robust analysis that reduces the risk of false negatives, making it a more reliable option. With its superior detection accuracy, hair testing is becoming the gold standard for employers seeking dependable methods to enforce their drug-free workplace policies.

Extended Detection Window

Located in Geiger, AL, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capable of identifying substance use for up to 90 days. This feature is invaluable for employers who need a thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's history concerning substance use.

This prolonged period allows employers to gain insights into not just immediate substance use but also long-term patterns. Such a comprehensive view ensures that companies make informed decisions regarding their workforce, promoting a safer and more reliable workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Geiger, AL, the integrity of hair follicle testing lies in its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, it significantly diminishes the chances of sample adulteration, which provides results that can be trusted without question.

Employers can rely on the credibility of hair follicle tests as they deter any attempts at altering or falsifying results. This reliability ensures that businesses uphold their workplace standards, safeguarding against dishonest practices and providing security in testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Access to hair follicle testing in Geiger, AL, is made easy with our network of nationwide and local testing centers. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that individuals and companies have convenient access to testing services whenever they are needed.

Our strategically located centers allow for a hassle-free testing process, making it simple for those in Geiger and beyond to obtain necessary tests promptly and without inconvenience. This ease of access supports efficient and quick testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of conducting a hair follicle test in Geiger, AL, is designed to be straightforward and discreet. From ordering the test to the act of testing itself, and finally receiving results, every stage is managed with an emphasis on privacy and ease of use.

This simple, confidential process ensures that participants can engage in testing without concern for exposure or the complexity of steps involved. Accredited Drug Testing is committed to maintaining confidentiality and providing top-notch services in every interaction.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Geiger, AL, offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle tests. Our pricing structure provides exceptional value, making it accessible for companies regardless of size to conduct necessary substance screenings without financial strain.

Alongside affordable costs, our efficient service guarantees fast results, furnishing companies with the information they require quickly and accurately, thus providing peace of mind that they are making well-informed business decisions promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Geiger, AL, hair follicle drug tests are recognized for their swift and accurate results. These tests offer a precise method for detecting substance use, ensuring that results are both reliable and timely. The precision of hair testing is unparalleled, identifying not just recent drug use but providing a comprehensive look at an individual's substance history.

The speed at which hair follicle testing delivers results makes it a preferred choice for those seeking quick information about substance use. In Geiger, AL, this method bridges the gap between speed and accuracy, providing trustworthy results that give both individuals and employers peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Geiger, AL, hair follicle testing assures compliance with stringent drug-free workplace policies. By utilizing this reliable testing method, companies mitigate legal risks associated with non-compliance and enhance their overall workplace safety protocols.

The use of hair follicle tests not only aligns with best practices in maintaining a safe work environment but also provides peace of mind. For employers, this translates into confidence that they are adhering to regulations, reducing potential liabilities, and promoting a drug-free workplace.

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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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