Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ridgeville, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. Collecting hair close to the scalp offers a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample, approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil), near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, an optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample within a laboratory system. This step includes ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While a cost-effective method for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid for legal proceedings. All samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that presumptively test positive are washed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests offer detection for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests provide a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are challenging to tamper with, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: This method can depict a pattern of drug use over an extended time frame, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: There is a delay of about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth rates can affect the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ridgeville, AL

• Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy, covering a more extended period compared to urine tests.
• Its longer detection window and difficult-to-deceive nature make it preferable among stringent screening methods.
• These tests are invaluable for organizations intent on maintaining strict no-drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ridgeville, AL

• Hair follicle testing can uncover drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a comprehensive overview of substance history.
• This extended detection window is particularly useful for employers aiming to assess long-term drug use patterns.
• The method gives confidence to employers seeking a thorough understanding of their workforce's habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ridgeville, AL

• Hair follicle tests are designed to significantly reduce the potential for tampering, ensuring test integrity.
• The rigorous collection process makes it nearly impossible to alter samples, providing incontrovertible results.
• Employers favor these tests to guarantee the reliability of drug screening outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ridgeville, AL

• Our extensive network of testing centers guarantees easy access and convenience for all clients, wherever they are.
• Located nationwide, our centers offer hassle-free services ensuring quick access to testing.
• Local facilities in Ridgeville allow residents to effortlessly utilize our comprehensive array of testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ridgeville, AL

• The testing process is straightforward and respects confidentiality, perfect for those concerned about privacy.
• Ordering tests and obtaining results is seamlessly facilitated, ensuring ease and customer assurance.
• We prioritize a streamlined experience that respects individual privacy throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ridgeville, AL

• Our competitive pricing structures make premium testing accessible for businesses of all sizes.
• Swift turnaround times ensure minimal disruption, offering excellent value and reliability.
• Employers benefit from assured quality measures while maintaining budget-friendliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ridgeville, AL

• Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision in detecting various substances, ensuring both speed and reliability.
• The swift return of results enables timely decision-making for employers requiring robust and accurate drug screening methodologies.
• Reassuringly precise and efficient, these tests stand as the top choice for many organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ridgeville, AL

• Employing hair follicle testing enhances adherence to workplace drug-free standards, mitigating legal risks.
• These tests bolster workplace safety, supporting a healthier environment for all employees.
• Peace of mind is attained through compliance assurance, benefiting both employers and their 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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