Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Titus, AL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of a growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate detection span of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (about the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be obtained. In our context, head hair refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair categories (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into a lab's system. This involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not supported by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes a preliminary swift assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive screened samples require confirmation to be valid in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need an additional confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty in cheating: Manipulating a hair drug test is challenging, which enhances result credibility.
• Provides historical data: It delivers a usage pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Variability in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Titus, AL, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy, hair testing provides clearer insights into long-term habitual drug use.

Hair tests have a longer detection window and are less susceptible to adulteration compared to urine tests. Employers benefit from the enhanced reliability of these tests, making them a smarter choice for ensuring a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

One of the key strengths of hair follicle testing in Titus, AL, is its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use over a 90-day period, it provides a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

This extended period allows employers to gain valuable insights into an employee’s or applicant’s past behavior, supporting more informed decision-making processes based on a thorough substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in Titus, AL, stands out for its tamper-resistant capabilities. It significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring that results remain trustworthy and indisputable.

This robust method prevents attempts to alter results, giving employers assurance and dependability in their drug-testing processes. This reduces the potential for fraudulent tests and maintains the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations and local options in Titus, AL, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that drug testing is a smooth process for all.

This extensive network of testing sites offers quick and hassle-free access to our services, removing geographical barriers to maintaining a safe and drug-free environment for organizations of all sizes.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for conducting hair follicle testing in Titus, AL, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving the results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use.

This approach alleviates concerns about confidentiality, ensuring that individuals can undergo testing with confidence in the process's integrity and discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Titus, AL, is not only effective but also affordable. Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, providing exceptional value.

Our fast results coupled with cost-effective pricing assure organizations of all sizes can maintain drug-free environments while keeping within budget and receiving accurate and timely information.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Titus, AL, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Unlike other methods, these tests capture a comprehensive history of substance use, free from the uncertainties that can arise with alternative testing methods.

The precision and speed with which hair follicle tests detect drug usage are unmatched. This ensures that employers can base decisions on concrete, dependable data, minimizing uncertainties in their hiring processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Titus, AL, incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace protocols ensures compliance with drug-free policies and enhances employer peace of mind.

By using this reliable testing methodology, companies can significantly reduce legal risks and foster a safer working environment. Ensuring a drug-free workplace contributes to overall productivity and employee well-being.

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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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