Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Clarkston, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a detailed record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within its growing strands. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can yield a detection period of nearly 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for analysis and validation. For EtG tests, additional analysis, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. When scalp hair is absent, a similar amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair pertains strictly to scalp hair, whilst body hair includes all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s framework. This entails confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducting any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for possible drug use. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for legal consideration. Any samples indicating a positive result during Screening require further confirmation.

In instances where a sample renders a presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves retrieving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), thereby making hair drug testing one of the most elaborate methods.

Any positive results from screening are further confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process prior to verification as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have shorter detection periods.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Historical consumption analysis: It allows for the examination of drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent ingestion.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests in Clarkston, GA, surpass urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a more comprehensive view, detecting drug use over weeks, which makes them ideal for thorough screening.

The preference for hair follicle testing in Clarkston arises from its higher dependability. A longer detection window means employers can make informed decisions with confidence.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Clarkston, GA, rely on hair follicle tests to gain detailed insight into drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This extensive detection window helps paint a clearer picture of an individual's long-term substance use history.

The ability to detect drug use over months aids employers in making more informed decisions. This comprehensive approach benefits organizations by providing a full view of an employee's past behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the likelihood of sample tampering, offering reliable results in Clarkston, GA. The structure of hair samples makes them difficult to adulterate, ensuring that results remain incontestable and accurate.

By choosing hair tests in Clarkston, organizations benefit from a testing method that minimizes manipulation risks, ensuring that the findings are credible and trustworthy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers available nationwide, including local options in Clarkston, GA, accessing hair follicle testing services is both quick and stress-free. The easy accessibility of testing locations ensures that individuals can complete the process efficiently.

This widespread availability supports individuals and employers in Clarkston by offering seamless testing services, guaranteeing that help is never far away.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Clarkston, GA, hair drug testing is straightforward and private. From ordering to receiving results, the process respects participants' confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

The simple and confidential testing approach in Clarkston ensures a worry-free experience, allowing participants to prioritize personal privacy while still obtaining accurate information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast result turnaround in Clarkston, GA, make hair follicle testing an affordable and valuable choice. This cost-effective option benefits companies of all sizes, offering clear pricing structures for ease of budget planning.

The affordability and efficiency of the testing process in Clarkston enhance value for businesses, providing peace of mind with prompt and financially viable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Clarkston, GA, hair follicle testing provides rapid and precise results, making it an efficient choice for detecting drug use. This method's high accuracy ensures dependable outcomes, supporting effective decision-making processes for employers and organizations.

The swiftness and reliability of hair tests in Clarkston contribute to their growing popularity. With the capability to quickly and accurately detect substance use, these tests support a dynamic and proactive approach to maintaining a safe environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Clarkston, GA, achieve compliance with a drug-free policy through hair follicle testing, reducing legal exposure while increasing workplace safety. This method provides assurance against potential drug misuse, contributing to a safer work environment.

Hair testing aids in fulfilling regulatory requirements, giving businesses peace of mind. By adopting this testing process, companies can demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a drug-free 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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