Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Memphis, FL

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has gained recognition as a vital approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can yield an approximately 3-month window of detection for alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to adulterate, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample, consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. Reference to head hair specifies scalp hair only, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages involved in the laboratory processing of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for court admissibility. All samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both 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 use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: It is exceptionally challenging to contrive a hair drug test, increasing result accuracy.
• Supplies historical insight: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the test in reality analyzes the hair strand instead of the hair follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Memphis, FL, the benefits are clear. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, with a longer history of drug usage being visible. Unlike urine tests that capture recent use, hair tests provide a comprehensive look at an individual’s substance use over a more extended period, ensuring reliable information and reducing the risk of misinformation.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Memphis, FL stands out with its extended detection window, capturing drug use over the past 90 days. This far exceeds the capabilities of urine tests, which typically detect recent use. This extensive timeframe allows employers a better understanding of a potential hire or employee's drug history, making informed decisions easier.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Memphis, FL benefits from hair follicle tests due to their tamper-resistant nature. Traditional testing methods face the risk of tampering, but hair testing nearly eliminates this concern. By reducing the chance of sample adulteration, results remain consistent and reliable, concluding the process with unquestionable accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous locations across Memphis, FL, Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to professional testing services. Our national network of facilities guarantees speedy and straightforward testing arrangements, making the process seamless for individuals and businesses alike. Accessibility is a hallmark of our nationwide and local presence.

Simple, Confidential Process

Clients and businesses in Memphis, FL appreciate our simple and confidential process for drug testing. From the initial order to taking the test and receiving the results, we prioritize privacy and ease of use. Concerns regarding confidentiality are addressed thoroughly, ensuring a stress-free experience throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, our services in Memphis, FL provide exceptional value. Our competitive rates enable companies of any size to access high-quality testing without financial strain. Quick result processing further enhances client satisfaction, delivering timely information efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Memphis, FL, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision with which these tests can identify substance use far surpasses other methods.Quick and efficient, they allow individuals and organizations to receive results swiftly. Further, their high accuracy ensures that the detection is trustworthy, offering peace of mind with the results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace procedures in Memphis, FL ensures adherence to drug-free policies, bringing peace of mind. By emphasizing compliance, it mitigates legal issues while concurrently promoting a safe work environment. Employers can rest assured that their policies are effectively maintained with dependable testing methods.

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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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