Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kimberly, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use within a roughly 3-month timeframe. The collection is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, suitable for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extras, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It’s suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, comparable body hair may be used. Reference to head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of integrating a sample into a laboratory system. This procedure includes confirming the sample's secure sealing and proper shipping, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary swift assessment for drug abuse. While cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a confirmed result is necessary for legal proceedings. Any samples that show presumptive positive results during Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If Screening suggests a sample is positive, extra hair is extracted from the primary sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations relative to other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and observes accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It provides an overview of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Detectable levels in hair take approximately 5-7 days to materialize.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although sometimes referred to as "hair follicle tests", the assessment concerns 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 Kimberly, AL
Hair testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests, including superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair tests track substance use over a more extended period, making them a more reliable option for employers seeking accurate results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kimberly, AL
One of the significant benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over a period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window enables employers to gain a comprehensive view of an applicant’s or employee’s substance use history, crucial for making informed hiring or disciplinary decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kimberly, AL
Hair follicle tests are robust against tampering, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This testing method provides reliable and unquestionable results, ensuring that the integrity of the testing process is maintained and fostering trust in the results obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Kimberly, AL
We offer widespread convenience with our nationwide network of testing centers, including local facilities in Kimberly, AL. This accessibility ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free testing services for employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kimberly, AL
Our process for ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward and ensures confidentiality. We prioritize privacy and simplicity to accommodate the needs of clients, making the experience stress-free and secure from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kimberly, AL
We offer competitive pricing structures alongside quick turnaround times, delivering excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our affordable services ensure organizations can conduct necessary testing without significant financial burden while maintaining peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Kimberly, AL
Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and speed in detecting substance use, offering high accuracy levels. The efficiency of this method ensures that employers receive reliable results swiftly, enhancing the decision-making process and maintaining workplace safety.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kimberly, AL
Using hair follicle testing helps employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks. It enhances workplace safety and offers peace of mind, knowing that comprehensive and tamper-proof testing methods are in place to uphold company 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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