Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lookout Mountain, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now widely regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a continuous record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The four principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of processing a sample into a laboratory's system. This involves verifying the sample’s seal and shipment methods, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry tasks not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for the presence of drugs. While it serves as a cost-effective means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for admissibility in a legal context. Any presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for further Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples that return positive expectations are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in compliance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Provides historical data: It offers a pattern of drug consumption over a span of time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become identifiable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other methods of drug testing.
• Variations in results: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lookout Mountain, AL
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior accuracy and reliability. With a longer detection window and resistance to tampering, hair tests provide a comprehensive overview of substance use, making them a preferred choice for employers and legal entities seeking trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lookout Mountain, AL
Hair follicle tests stand out due to their extensive 90-day detection period. This advantage provides employers with a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use history. For those aiming for a clear picture of long-term substance habits, hair testing is the undisputed choice.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lookout Mountain, AL
One major benefit of hair follicle testing is its reduced risk of sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, which can be compromised, hair tests offer a reliable and secure method, providing indisputable results that assure confidence and trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lookout Mountain, AL
Our expansive network of testing centers offers unparalleled convenience, making it effortless for individuals and businesses in Lookout Mountain to access hair follicle testing services swiftly and without hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lookout Mountain, AL
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle drug test results is designed to be straightforward and discreet. We address privacy and ease of use, ensuring that clients can experience a seamless testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lookout Mountain, AL
We offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, delivering excellent value for businesses of all sizes that require efficient and reliable drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lookout Mountain, AL
Hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and rapid results delivery. These tests provide extremely high accuracy in detecting substances, ensuring that any concerns regarding drug use are addressed efficiently. Whether for pre-employment screening or compliance checks, hair testing guarantees fast and reliable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lookout Mountain, AL
Employers can ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method not only diminishes legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind regarding the integrity of the workforce.

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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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