Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Woodville, AL

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected adjacent to the scalp, hair can provide nearly a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. In context, head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not already provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples showing a presumptively positive result in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is determined to be presumptively positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen to prepare for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and maintains accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests provide a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It supplies a record of drug use over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variation: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Woodville, AL, hair testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests by providing extended detection and superior reliability. Its accuracy in identifying long-term substance use sets it apart as a preferred option.

• Hair tests can discern drug use that urine tests might miss.
• Hair analysis is less affected by recent abstention before testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
In Woodville, AL, hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection period, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This extended timeframe offers employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history, ensuring informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

• It enables retrospective analysis over three months.
• Perfect for comprehensive evaluations of substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Located in Woodville, AL, hair follicle tests are designed to curb sample manipulation, fostering undeniable results. The robust nature of hair testing minimizes the risk of adulterating or substituting samples, ensuring trustworthy data.

• Hair samples are derived through secure collection methodologies.
• Hair tests remain unaltered by common adulteration methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
With accessible sites in Woodville, AL, and nationwide, drug testing services are streamlined for convenience. Quick, fuss-free access is a guarantee with our multiple centers.

• Effortless reach to nearby testing centers.
• Nationwide presence ensures testing availability wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Woodville, AL, experience a seamless and private drug testing process. Our service ensures confidentiality from ordering to results, addressing both ease of use and privacy concerns.

• The procedure maintains discretion at every stage.
• Enjoy straightforward ordering and result notification.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Woodville, AL, competitive pricing paired with speedy results underscores our commitment to value. Catering to businesses of varying sizes, this ensures access to economical and efficient testing solutions.

• Pricing structures designed to suit budget considerations.
• Rapid result turnaround guarantees minimal waiting times.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Woodville, AL, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision, reliably identifying substance use. This method ensures timely results while maintaining high accuracy, making it an advantageous choice for those seeking dependable testing.

• The rigorous analysis process of hair tests guarantees fewer errors.
• Results are quickly processed, minimizing waiting periods for decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Woodville, AL, benefit significantly from hair follicle testing, ensuring they adhere to strict drug-free workplace policies. This testing aids in maintaining a secure and legally compliant environment, reducing potential areas of liability.

• Employers can confidently enforce zero-tolerance policies.
• It reassures a workplace that promotes safety and integrity.

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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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