Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harvest, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It is best to determine the weight of the hair with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be provided, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a specimen is formatted into the laboratory's system, ensuring it was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not provided electronically.

Screening is a swift preliminary test for illicit substances. Though cost-effective at eliminating drug use in most cases, a positive screening makes further confirmation essential before it holds in legal contexts. Any samples testing positive in Screening need confirmatory evaluation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This entails retrieving drugs from hair at concentrations much finer than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), showcasing the complexity of hair testing.

Confirmation of positive screenings is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing. The lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to inspection under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection scope: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter scope of urine tests.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair tests are notably hard to manipulate, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Documented trends: It can reveal a history of drug use over time, unlike tests that show only recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs take about 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing modes.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and growth rates may impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Harvest, AL, presents numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. The accuracy and reliability of hair testing are unparalleled, making it a preferred option for many organizations.
Benefits of Hair Follicle Testing:

• Greater detection accuracy
• Longer detection periods
• Reduced risk of adulteration

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive overview of an individual’s drug use history, reaching back as far as 90 days.
This feature is particularly valuable for employers in Harvest, AL, who require a thorough understanding of an employee or applicant’s substance use over time, ensuring a more informed decision-making process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout advantages of using hair follicle testing in Harvest, AL, is its tamper-resistant nature. It greatly minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring that results are both reliable and credible.
Employers and agencies can trust that the outcomes of hair tests are accurate, providing a secure method of monitoring substance use without concerns of manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Harvest, AL residents benefit from the convenience of local and nationwide hair testing locations that make the process quick and straightforward.
Our widespread network of testing centers assures easy access, expediting the procedure for those in need of immediate testing services. This nationwide availability simplifies the entire testing process for individuals and organizations alike, removing logistical hurdles.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Harvest, AL, the process of hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential, safeguarding personal privacy.
From order placement to sample collection and results delivery, each step prioritizes user convenience and discretion, ensuring that individuals feel secure throughout the entire testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Harvest, AL, offers excellent value. Our commitment to affordability and efficiency ensures that companies of all sizes have access to quality testing services without breaking the bank.
Employers can expect rapid results, enabling them to act promptly based on reliable information.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Harvest, AL, hair follicle drug tests offer a blend of fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in identifying substance use ensures that results are dependable for any testing needs.
Hair testing delivers results swiftly, enabling individuals and businesses to proceed with confidence. The advanced technology employed guarantees high accuracy levels, making it a superior choice for drug detection needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By implementing hair follicle testing, employers in Harvest, AL, can ensure compliance with their drug-free workplace policies. This adherence reduces legal exposure and enhances overall workplace safety.
Hair testing provides organizations with peace of mind, knowing they are upholding high standards of workplace health and safety while adhering to necessary regulations.

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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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