Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Malvern, AL

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate a long-term chronicling of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month retrospective detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, contains 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for initial analysis and validation. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, while body hair pertains to all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory drug testing results are processed through four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning stage involves incorporating a sample into the laboratory system, ensuring the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug usage for most samples, any positive findings require confirmation for legal acceptance. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate further Confirmation.

When Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex technique to execute.

Confirmation of positive Screening results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive undergo necessary washing before Confirmation. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, which is longer than the detection window for urine testing.
• Low potential for evasion: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, therefore increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Presents historic consumption data: It shows a pattern of drug use over a longer timeframe rather than indicating just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may affect drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted 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 Malvern, AL
Hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. In Malvern, their reliability in spotting substance use is unmatched, offering a broadened detection period that urine tests simply can't match. Employers favor hair tests for their precision, ensuring a drug-free workplace with assured safety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Malvern, AL
Hair follicle testing excels by identifying drug use over a substantial timeframe—up to 90 days. This extended detection window grants employers a clearer view of an individual’s substance history, providing a thorough behavioral assessment, crucial for making informed hiring or retention decisions in Malvern.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Malvern, AL
One benefit of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring results that are both reliable and irrefutable. In Malvern, this offers security and assurance that results remain untampered, maintaining test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Malvern, AL
Our numerous testing centers nationwide, including those in Malvern, make accessing drug testing simple and hassle-free. This network ensures quick and effortless access to testing services, facilitating smooth administration for businesses and individuals alike who require drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Malvern, AL
The hair follicle testing process in Malvern is straightforward and emphasizes confidentiality. From ordering the test to obtaining the results, the entire procedure respects privacy and ease of use, ensuring that all clients have a seamless and discreet testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Malvern, AL
Accredited Drug Testing in Malvern offers competitive pricing with swift turnaround times. Our services deliver exceptional value, making hair follicle testing an attractive option for companies of all sizes, combining cost-effectiveness with rapid, accurate results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Malvern, AL
Hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. They provide highly accurate results when detecting substance use, ensuring reliability in test outcomes. For anyone seeking rapid and dependable results in Malvern, hair follicle tests are the go-to option, delivering peace of mind with their exactness in analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Malvern, AL
Employers in Malvern can trust hair follicle testing to uphold workplace drug-free policies. These tests help prevent legal complications by ensuring compliance, thus enhancing overall workplace safety and providing peace of mind that protects both employees and business reputation.

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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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