Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Silas, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment has become acknowledged as a robust instrument for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair retains a lasting record of various substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. When cut near the scalp, it offers a detection period of nearly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, it's somewhat resistant to tampering, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A segment measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil in size) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, an optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For additional analyses, such as EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It’s best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair may be used. In terms of head hair, this refers solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in the laboratory encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the introductory inclusion of a sample into a lab’s system. This step involves confirming the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry lacking in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary rapid check for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to discard drug use for most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation to be deemed valid in a courtroom setting. Samples yielding presumptively positive results in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample be presumed positive at the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the initial collection and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from the hair at notably lower concentrations than alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening a methodologically challenging process.

Verification of any positive Screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug intake for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which possess a shorter duration.
• Hard to falsify: Due to its complexity, manipulating hair drug test results proves challenging, increasing reliability.
• Shows usage history: It demonstrates a drug consumption trend over time, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent activity: It requires around 5-7 days for substances to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair assessments are costlier than other forms of drug testing.
• Result disparities: Variables like hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than on the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Silas, AL

Hair follicle testing provides enhanced detection when compared to urine tests, offering a more comprehensive analysis over time. Its superior accuracy in uncovering substance use makes it the preferred approach in various situations, such as workplace screenings, providing a deeper insight into an individual’s long-term habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Silas, AL

Hair follicle testing's ability to detect drug history over a 90-day period offers companies in Silas detailed insights into an applicant or employee's substance use. This extended window surpasses the capabilities of other testing methods and helps employers make informed decisions based on a comprehensive substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Silas, AL

The hair follicle tests are designed to minimize the possibility of sample tampering, ensuring that results are reliable and trustworthy. This tamper-resistant feature secures confidence both for those administering the tests and the entities relying on the outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Silas, AL

Our nationwide network of testing facilities allows individuals in Silas easy access to testing services. The convenience of these local and accessible centers ensures that the testing process is quick, straightforward, and trouble-free for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Silas, AL

In Silas, the process for ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is straightforward and ensures privacy. This simplicity and confidentiality address any concerns about the ease of use and protection of personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Silas, AL

Our hair follicle testing in Silas is known for competitive pricing and quick result delivery. This combination offers excellent value for organizations of all sizes, providing them with reassurance and high-quality service at cost-effective rates.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Silas, AL

The hair follicle drug tests offer an unmatched speed and precision in detecting substance use. Their reliability ensures that individuals and organizations in Silas can depend on their results, which accurately reflect an individual’s drug use history. This high level of accuracy has made hair follicle tests a preferred choice in Silas over other testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Silas, AL

By implementing hair follicle testing, employers in Silas ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method helps avoid legal risks and promotes a secure work setting, offering peace of mind knowing that compliance and safety are prioritized.

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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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