Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Aragon, GA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has become a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to a roughly 3-month period. The collection process for hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. Conversely, "body hair" pertains to all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any data entry not completed electronically via a chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary examination for abuse substances. Although it's a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court validity. Any samples showing potential positivity in Screening need additional confirmation.

Upon a potential positive outcome during the Screening phase, extra hair is taken from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Confirmation of a positive screen result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. Every part of the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests identify drugs up to 90 days post-use, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: The reliability of hair drug tests is heightened due to the difficulty in tampering.
• Tracks history: Offers insight into patterns of drug use over time, not limited to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Detection in hair takes roughly 5-7 days post-drug use.
• Expense: Hair testing generally incurs greater costs compared to other testing strategies.
• Result disparities: Factors like hair color and differences in individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Commonly dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Aragon, GA, hair follicle tests offer clear advantages over traditional urine tests. Their superior detection accuracy makes them a preferred choice, as they are less prone to manipulation and can uncover long-term substance use history, unlike conventional urine tests which have a shorter detection window.

Benefits of hair testing include a wider detection period and higher reliability compared to urine. This method gives employers a comprehensive view and confidence in their employee screening processes, reducing the risks of substance abuse at the workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Aragon, GA offers an extensive detection window, identifying drug use over a three-month period. This ensures employers gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use pattern over time, supporting informed decision-making.

The extended detection capabilities of hair follicle testing provide a robust overview of substance abuse. With the ability to trace use over a 90-day span, this method is pivotal for employers in evaluating applicant or employee histories thoroughly.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Aragon, GA, the integrity of a hair follicle test stands out due to its tamper-resistant nature. The risk of adulterating samples is significantly reduced, offering businesses dependable results. This reliability is essential in maintaining the accuracy and trustworthiness of drug testing procedures.

Secure and Authentic: Hair follicle tests resist tampering efforts, presenting a dependable and unchallengeable veracity. This attribute underscores the advantage of using such methods over traditional testing procedures, ensuring undiluted results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient access to nationwide and local testing centers, including in Aragon, GA. This expansive network facilitates quick and hassle-free testing, making it easier for individuals and companies to undergo necessary evaluations without geographic constraints.

The widespread range of testing sites offers considerable convenience and accessibility. Whether located in Aragon or other cities, our services are readily available, ensuring a seamless process for all clients needing comprehensive drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Aragon, GA is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step is designed with privacy and ease of use in mind, ensuring individuals feel secure about their testing experience.

The confidentiality and straightforward approach of our testing procedures ensure peace of mind for all participants. Practical and discreet, our services address privacy concerns while maintaining convenient access for testing in a user-friendly manner.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Aragon, GA boast affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, offering excellent value for businesses of all sizes. This combination ensures companies receive high-quality services within budget, enhancing their operational efficiencies.

Competitive pricing and expeditious service define our hair testing offerings. By providing cost-effective solutions without sacrificing speed, we support organizations in managing their drug testing protocols efficiently and budget-consciously.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and expediency of hair follicle drug testing are unmatched in Aragon, GA. These tests offer rapid and highly accurate results, ensuring reliable detection of various substances. Employers and organizations trust in the quick turnaround and precise outcomes that hair follicle testing provides.

In Aragon, GA, the efficacy of hair follicle tests lies in their ability to deliver swift and accurate results. The advanced detection capability ensures that substance use is reliably identified, providing peace of mind to employers seeking conclusive and timely testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Aragon, GA enjoy the peace of mind that hair follicle testing brings to drug policy compliance. This method mitigates legal risks and promotes a safer work environment, aligning with zero-tolerance policies that many businesses uphold.

By employing hair follicle testing, companies maintain proper compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reliable testing method provides employers with confidence and assurance, safeguarding both their employees and organizational standards.

Drug Testing Near Aragon, GA

Rome, GA

Draketown, GA

Dallas, GA

Kingston, GA

Huntsville, GA

Six Mile, GA

Lindale, GA

Cedartown, GA

Euharlee, GA

Yorkville, GA

Braswell, GA

Taylorsville, GA

Van Wert, GA

Rockmart, GA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews