Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jacksonville, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. A sample taken close to the scalp can offer up to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section encompassing around 200 strands of hair (roughly equal in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For testing that includes EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we are specifically referencing scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The key phases in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s procedure. This process ensures that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and facilitates any additional data entry that is absent in an electronic chain of custody scenario.

Screening performs a preliminary examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, confirmation is necessary for a positive screen to be valid in a legal context. Samples with a presumptive positive result from Screening require further confirmation.

For samples with presumptive positives in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. Drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to carry out.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are subjected to a wash prior to confirmation when needed. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use spanning up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection duration.
• Low susceptibility to manipulation: Hair drug tests are challenging to compromise, thus providing more reliable results.
• Preserves historical usage data: Offers a trend of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on 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 Jacksonville, AL
Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests with its superior detection accuracy and reliability. This method allows for a more comprehensive drug use detection, making it the preferred choice for employers and legal entities in Jacksonville, AL. The hair test provides a solid alternative, enhancing trust with its precise results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Jacksonville, AL
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing the usual timeframe of urine tests. This feature provides employers with a thorough assessment of an individual's drug history, ensuring a more informative understanding of their substance use over an extended period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Jacksonville, AL
Hair follicle tests significantly decrease the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring robust and indisputable results. This method's reliability stems from its resistance to manipulation, offering transparent outcomes that are trusted by many test administrators in Jacksonville, AL.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Jacksonville, AL
With a network of nationwide testing centers, accessing hair follicle testing services is both quick and convenient. Local availability in Jacksonville, AL, guarantees ease and simplicity for accessing the desired testing services without the hassle of long-distance travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Jacksonville, AL
The process of ordering, undertaking, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. This simplicity eases concerns regarding privacy and ensures a user-friendly experience, safeguarding the participant's information throughout the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Jacksonville, AL
Competitive pricing structures coupled with fast turnaround times offer excellent value for companies of all sizes. Ensuring prompt and cost-effective services provides companies with peace of mind, making hair follicle testing a practical choice for their substance testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Jacksonville, AL
Hair follicle drug tests in Jacksonville, AL, are renowned for their precision and swiftness. Known for high accuracy, these tests ensure effective detection of substance use. Reliability and efficiency are at the forefront of this testing method, providing peace of mind through quick and dependable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Jacksonville, AL
Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal challenges and promoting safe work environments. It provides employers with confidence in compliance, reducing liabilities while enhancing the overall safety and efficacy of their workforce management.

Drug Testing Near Jacksonville, AL

West End-Cobb Town, AL

Piedmont, AL

Woodstock, AL

Anniston, AL

Choccolocco, AL

Blue Mountain, AL

Saks, AL

Websters Chapel-Alexandria Valley, AL

Wellington, AL

Nances Creek, AL

Weaver, AL

Calhoun, AL

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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