Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Glenville, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is widely regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The structure of hair retains traces of alcohol and drugs, acting as a historical record that lasts beyond several months. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it offers a detection span of roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, and it possesses a lower likelihood of tampering or adulteration compared to other methods, and it is convenient to handle during transportation.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) from the area nearest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg of hair, which is ideal for initial assessments and validations. For EtG testing, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a larger sample of 150mg is preferable. Use a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain solely to the hair on the scalp. Body hair encompasses other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four principal stages in the lab processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory system. It involves assuring the sample's secure seal during transportation, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although it provides an economical method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, any positive screens require confirmation to be legally defensible. Samples indicating presumptive positivity during Screening necessitate further validation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity at the Screening phase, additional hair is obtained from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at concentrations markedly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug testing particularly intricate.

To verify any positive Screening outcomes, techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are utilized. Prior to validation, all samples with presumptive positivity are cleaned as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the whole lab procedure is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) designation for hair and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug consumption up to 90 days, surpassing the shortened window urine tests offer.
• Enhanced accuracy: The difficulty in circumventing a hair drug test ensures the results are more reliable.
• Tracks usage patterns: It can illustrate a history of drug use over time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks early detection: Approximately 5-7 days are needed for drugs to be traceable in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally involve higher costs than alternative testing procedures.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug markers.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not on the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing traditional urine tests with hair follicle testing in Glenville, AL, hair analysis offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, which cover a shorter timeframe, hair tests provide a comprehensive view of substance use over time. This makes them ideal for employers and professionals seeking a more thorough and reliable assessment of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Glenville, AL offers an extended detection window spanning up to 90 days. This broader timeframe enables employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, making it a preferred option for comprehensive assessment. Employers can thus make well-informed decisions, reassuring themselves of an individual's long-term compliance with drug-free standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Glenville, AL, hair follicle testing provides a tamper-resistant method of detecting drug use. With its difficult-to-alter sample collection, this testing mitigates the risk of adulteration, delivering reliable and unquestionable results. Employers can trust the accuracy and stability of these test outcomes, supporting their commitment to maintaining a drug-free environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Glenville, AL benefits from convenient nationwide testing locations provided by Accredited Drug Testing. With centers spread across the country, individuals have easy and hassle-free access to testing services. The availability of local facilities ensures quick test completion, catering efficiently to the needs of people across all regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing in Glenville, AL addresses privacy concerns effectively. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are straightforward, ensuring ease of use for businesses and individuals. This assures all participants of their data's confidentiality, making the testing process seamless and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and fast turnaround, hair follicle testing in Glenville, AL offers excellent value for companies. Cost-effective prices ensure accessibility for businesses of all sizes, while swift result delivery maintains operational efficiency. This combination of competitive rates and expedited service establishes trust and assurance for employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Glenville, AL, hair follicle tests stand out for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. Hair tests detect substance use with unmatched precision, ensuring reliable insights within days. With advanced analysis, hair testing ensures high accuracy, effectively identifying substances and offering valuable peace of mind. For those prioritizing accuracy and speed, hair testing is a clear choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Glenville, AL helps ensure compliance and peace of mind for employers. By adhering to drug-free policies through reliable testing, businesses reduce legal risks and foster a safer workplace. This method reassures employers of maintaining a disciplined environment, aligning with their organization's values and standards.

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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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