Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Salem, FL

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair encapsulates a long-term account of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can unveil a detection window of up to about 3 months for substances and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests extending beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be scarce, a comparable amount of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in the lab consists of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary introduction of a specimen into the lab’s system. This encompasses confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody method.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive result must be verified for judicial acceptance. Any samples showing a presumptive positive during Screening need subsequent confirmation.

If Screening returns a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and set for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging technique to implement.

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

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, rendering the outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a usage trend of drugs over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: There is a delay of about 5-7 days for drugs to register in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rate can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Salem, FL Hair testing offers notable advantages over traditional urine tests.

• A hair test's elevated detection accuracy makes it a superior choice.
• Additionally, the reliability of hair tests ensures greater trust in the results, making it the ideal option for employers and other entities.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Salem, FL Hair follicle testing stands out by identifying drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days.

• This extended window offers employers a complete view of an employee's past substance use.
• Such insight is invaluable for making informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Salem, FL Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the chance of sample tampering.

• The method's design ensures test samples are reliable and results cannot be questioned.
• This provides employers and agencies with the confidence they need in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Salem, FL Numerous testing centers across the nation make accessing services simple.

• Whether in Salem or elsewhere, quick and hassle-free testing is guaranteed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Salem, FL Our testing procedure is straightforward and respects privacy.

• From ordering to receiving results, each step ensures discretion and ease of use.
• This addresses any privacy concerns while simplifying the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Salem, FL Competitive pricing and swift processing times offer great value.

• No matter the company size, our services provide peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Salem, FL Hair follicle drug tests are exceptionally precise, providing rapid and accurate results for detecting substance use.

• The efficiency of these tests means that individuals and organizations can receive clear insights in a timely manner.
• This swiftness ensures decisions can be made quickly without compromising on accuracy or reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Salem, FL Hair follicle testing aids in adhering to drug-free workplace policies.

• This compliance reduces legal liabilities, fostering a safer work environment.
• Employers can rest assured knowing they're maintaining high safety standards.

Drug Testing Near Salem, FL

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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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