Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rogersville, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for detecting substance and alcohol use. It provides a comprehensive historical record of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the developing hair strands. When hair samples are taken near the scalp, they can offer up to a three-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair's collection process is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil), cut closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair—the optimal amount for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional services, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab's framework. This step includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and delivery, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. While Screening economically rules out drug presence in most samples, a positive Screening result must be confirmed for courtroom acceptance. Any samples with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly lower concentration than seen in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Positive Screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is thoroughly reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals historical patterns: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, rather than just indicating recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs need about 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis 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 Rogersville, AL
Comparing hair and urine tests reveals superior detection accuracy in hair testing. Hair samples significantly enhance reliability by identifying drug use over a wider timeframe. This method offers higher accuracy and dependability over traditional urine methods, establishing it as the preferred choice in Rogersville.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Rogersville, AL
Our hair follicle tests provide the advantage of a longer detection window, revealing substance use up to 90 days prior. Employers gain a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history, which is unmatched by shorter detection periods offered by other tests, making it thoroughly effective for hire decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Rogersville, AL
Ensuring sample integrity, hair follicle testing substantially lowers the potential for sample adulteration. This method offers reliable results that can be trusted, free from manipulation attempts common with other testing options, reinforcing its credibility in Rogersville, AL.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Rogersville, AL
Our expansive network of nationwide testing centers ensures effortless access to testing services. Whether in Rogersville or beyond, Accredited Drug Testing provides a hassle-free experience, making it convenient for all clients seeking testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Rogersville, AL
Ordering and completing a hair follicle test in Rogersville is straightforward and confidential. We prioritize privacy in our seamless process, ensuring peace of mind. From scheduling to results delivery, clients benefit from transparency and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Rogersville, AL
We offer competitive and accessible pricing structures paired with swift turnaround times. Accredited Drug Testing provides tangible value to companies of all sizes in Rogersville, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising on service quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Rogersville, AL
Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision and speed in delivering results. Within Rogersville, AL, our advanced testing methods ensure high accuracy in detecting substance use patterns. Quick analysis coupled with detailed reporting provides clarity and confidence in results, making it an optimal choice for timely decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Rogersville, AL
Adopting hair follicle testing empowers employers to comply with strict drug-free workplace policies. The reliability of this test reduces legal liabilities and boosts workplace safety standards, providing reassurance and security for employers and stakeholders alike.

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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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