Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shelby, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand, hair offers a history of alcohol and drug use over a longer period. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, serving as the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The essential stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial handling of a specimen within a lab's system. This process verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary rapid assessment for substances abused. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, positive results must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Presumptively positive samples in Screening demand further confirmation.

For samples that are presumptive positives in the Screening process, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug screening.

Positive results from Screening are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptive positive are washed before confirmation as warranted. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can trace a drug use pattern over time, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent drug use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite being known as "hair follicle tests", the method analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Shelby, AL, the hair follicle method triumphs with superior detection accuracy and reliability. It offers a more comprehensive picture, making it the preferred choice for employers seeking meticulous substance use analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Shelby, AL, benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. This method captures drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days, providing a thorough insight into an individual's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Shelby, AL, boasts a tamper-resistant nature, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This robust method ensures the delivery of reliable and indisputable results for all testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing facilities nationwide and local options in Shelby, AL, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and effortless. Our centers provide hassle-free and efficient processes to meet your testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Shelby, AL, is straightforward and confidential. Ensuring privacy and ease of use, clients can seamlessly order, undergo testing, and receive results without concern.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing plans and rapid turnaround in Shelby, AL, our hair follicle testing services provide unmatched value. Companies of all sizes can rely on our efficient processes and budget-friendly options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Shelby, AL, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for providing fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision makes them highly effective at detecting substances, ensuring that you receive the most dependable outcomes for your testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Shelby, AL, gain peace of mind and compliance with drug-free workplace policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This approach mitigates legal risks and promotes a safer, more secure work environment.

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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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