Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Blitchton, GA

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying the consumption of alcohol and drugs. Hair captures biomarkers within the strands, providing a comprehensive history of substance use. When obtained near the scalp, it delivers a detection window of around three months for drugs and alcohol. This method is straightforward to gather, hard to tamper with, and easy to dispatch.

A sample of 1.5 inches involving roughly 200 hair strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and screenings above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's recommended to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is lacking, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair imply scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test outcomes involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary phase of integrating a sample into the lab’s system. This entails confirming the proper sealing and dispatch of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary swift evaluation for substances of abuse. While it's a cost-effective measure to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Any presumptively positive samples in the Screening phase necessitate further confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirming any positive screening result is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to deceive: It's challenging to cheat on a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It provides a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be discernible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Blitchton, GA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in various ways. The superiority lies in its detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer extended detection times, making them ideal for employers aiming for zero-tolerance policies.

• Greater detection periods.
• Reduced chance of adulteration.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Blitchton, GA, provides an extended detection period up to 90 days, giving a thorough overview of an individual's substance use history. This longer window is beneficial for employers seeking comprehensive insights into applicant or employee behavior.

• Tracks substance use over a longer timeframe.
• Enables thorough assessments for employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Ensuring tamper-resistant drug testing in Blitchton, GA is vital, and hair follicle tests significantly reduce alteration risks. These tests are structured to deliver reliable results that stand up to scrutiny, thanks to their robust collection and analysis process.

• Enhanced sample integrity.
• Trusted and unambiguous results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide and local testing facilities in Blitchton, GA, accessing drug testing services is convenient and stress-free. Our extensive network ensures that testing is accessible without hassle, providing ease of access for all clients.

• Conveniently located centers.
• Quick and seamless access to testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Blitchton, GA, our hair follicle testing services are characterized by a simple and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize user privacy and ease, alleviating any concerns related to the testing process.

• Effortless ordering and testing process.
• Maintains confidentiality at every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Blitchton, GA offers affordable pricing for hair follicle testing with quick turnaround times, providing substantial value to businesses of any size. Our competitive structures and fast processing ensure peace of mind and cost-effectiveness.

• Competitive pricing models.
• Swift result processing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Blitchton, GA, hair follicle drug tests are distinguished by their precision and rapidity. This method is recognized for its ability to detect substances accurately, ensuring reliable results for employers and individuals alike. The accuracy provided by these tests is unmatched, fostering trust in the findings.

• Quick processing and reporting.
• High precision in detecting illicit substances.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Blitchton, GA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safe environment. This testing method supports policies that cultivate a secure workplace.

• Ensures compliance with zero-tolerance policies.
• Reduces potential legal liabilities.

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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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