Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gateway, FL

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as a potent tool for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair chronicles a prolonged history of substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of ongoing hair growth. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

Acquiring a 1.5-inch sampling of approximately 200 hair strands (mirroring the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is absent, a corresponding amount of body hair can be taken. When we talk about head hair, we're specifically talking about scalp hair. Body hair refers to any other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four key steps within the lab process of evaluating a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system, which consists of confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry that wasn’t provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening marks the initial rapid assessment for addictive substances. Despite Screening being an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive result requires confirmation for admissibility in court. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and prepped for Extraction. In this procedure, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of presumptive positive screening outcomes is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as indicated. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which present a more restricted detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Altering a hair drug test is tremendously challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Delivers historical insight: It furnishes a chronological pattern of drug intake across a span of time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair samples.
• Pricing: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug evaluation methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth disparities can affect the level of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Despite commonly being termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine tests in Gateway, FL?

• Superior Detection Accuracy: Hair tests offer a higher detection rate for drug use, making them more dependable.
• Reliable Results: The extended detection window of up to 90 days ensures a comprehensive history of substance use, unlike the shorter span of urine tests.

Choosing hair testing ensures that employers receive accurate and concrete data.

Extended Detection Window

In Gateway, FL, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing spans up to 90 days.

• This capability delivers a thorough insight into an individual’s past substance use.
• Employers gain a deep understanding of an employee's drug history, aiding in informed decision-making for hiring and retention.

This makes hair follicle testing a preferred option for those seeking a broad overview of past drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The risk of adulteration is significantly reduced with hair follicle tests in Gateway, FL.

• These tests are less susceptible to tampering, ensuring unquestionable reliability.
• The observed collection process further secures sample integrity, reducing chances of manipulation or contamination.

Employers can rest assured knowing that test results are both genuine and precise.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Gateway, FL, benefit from convenient testing centers nationwide.

• Accredited Drug Testing provides quick and hassle-free access to our services, ensuring you don’t travel far for reliable testing.
• Our widespread location coverage allows seamless testing procedures across states.

Our easily accessible centers prioritize your convenience and comfort.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple and confidential process in Gateway, FL.

• From ordering tests to receiving results, the process prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness.
• The confidentiality ensures your data is secure, while the straightforward methodology alleviates anxiety around testing.

A seamless experience from start to finish underscores Accredited Drug Testing’s commitment to client comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Gateway, FL offers affordable pricing and fast turnaround.

• Our pricing structures ensure optimal value without compromising on quality or speed.
• Swift result delivery increases operational efficiency, benefiting businesses of varying scales.

Enjoy peace of mind and competitive pricing suited to your organizational needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Gateway, FL, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of hair tests is unmatched, effectively identifying substance use with higher accuracy compared to other methods. Results from hair tests are not only swift but hold paramount reliability in detecting long-term substance usage, making them a smart choice for companies demanding thoroughness.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing guarantees compliance and peace of mind for Gateway, FL employers.

• Implementing these tests aligns with workplace drug-free policies, diminishing potential legal complications.
• This method champions safety and creates a healthier work environment, enhancing overall company integrity.

Such benefits uphold peace of mind and confidence in maintaining a secure workplace.

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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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