Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Newton, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means to detect the use of drugs and alcohol. Through entrapping biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands, hair can provide an extended history of alcohol and drugs. If collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window for up to around 3 months for drugs and alcohol. It's straightforward to collect, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is missing, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in laboratory drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s framework. This step involves confirming the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical option to exclude drug usage for most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Samples indicating positive results in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample is likely positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the first specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs get extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a challenging practice to execute.

Any positive screening results undergo Confirmation through techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days, whereas urine tests feature a much shorter detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: It's notably hard to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Yields historical data: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While frequently called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines 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 Newton, AL
The advantages of hair testing over urine are compelling. Hair follicle tests excel in detection accuracy and are more reliable. Unlike urine tests, which have a shorter window, hair tests can identify drug use over three months, offering unmatched insights, particularly for employers enforcing strict drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Newton, AL
Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection period of up to 90 days, far surpassing that of urine tests. This prolonged window offers a fuller picture of a person's substance usage, aiding employers in making informed hiring and retention decisions. It enables a thorough examination of an individual's drug history, increasing workplace safety and policy compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Newton, AL
With hair follicle testing, the chances of sample adulteration or tampering are greatly minimized, offering credible results. This method assures employers of the integrity and authenticity of test outcomes. Compared to urine tests, the resilience of hair samples against tampering makes them an indispensable tool in maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Newton, AL
Our widespread network of testing centers ensures easy accessibility and convenience nationwide. Each center provides fast and reliable testing services, minimizing hassle. In Newton, AL, locals benefit from nearby centers, enabling quick and efficient access to necessary testing, reinforcing the community's commitment to public health and safety.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Newton, AL
Our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and keeps your privacy intact. From scheduling to receiving results, each step is designed to protect personal information, ensuring a discrete experience.
Employers and clients alike can enjoy a seamless and confidential testing process, underscoring Accredited Drug Testing's commitment to user privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Newton, AL
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing, ensuring cost-effective solutions for companies of all sizes. Our hair follicle tests come with quick turnaround times, delivering results efficiently without breaking the bank. This balance of affordability and speed provides businesses with exceptional value and peace of mind in their drug testing operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Newton, AL
Hair follicle drug tests offer swift and precise detection of substance use, outpacing traditional methods in accuracy. Their reliability ensures minimal wait times, allowing employers to make informed decisions promptly. This testing method delivers peace of mind with its unparalleled dependability and speed, ensuring comprehensive and trustworthy outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Newton, AL
Adopting hair follicle testing helps employers uphold drug-free workplace policies, significantly lowering legal risks and enhancing safety. This thorough testing approach ensures adherence to company policies and legislation, fostering a safer and more compliant work environment.
Employers gain confidence and reassurance by employing such reliable screening methodologies.

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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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