Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Desoto, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. The strands of hair preserve biomarker evidence of alcohol and various drugs over time. When collected near the scalp area, hair samples can reveal evidence of drug and alcohol intake over a detection period of up to nearly three months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to manipulate, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests like EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, collecting 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair should be acquired. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The process of laboratory analysis for drug testing consists of four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step involving the registration of a sample into the laboratory's database. This step ensures the sample is securely sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information that is not supplied via an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a rapid initial assessment for drug presence. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive result needs confirmation to be legally valid in court. Positive results in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

When a sample appears positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This involves using a technique that extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods such as urine or oral fluid tests. Hence, hair drug screenings are the toughest to perform.

For confirmation of positive screening results, techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Before confirming, all presumptively positive samples are washed if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated in alignment with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a much shorter detection window.
• Hard to invalidate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, thus results are more reliable.
• Reveals usage patterns: The test can track a history of drug use over a prolonged period, unlike tests that only show recent use.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent usage detection: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Variables like hair color and differing hair growth rates can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In DeSoto, GA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several ways. The tests offer superior accuracy in detecting drug use, making them a preferred choice for stringent drug policies.
While urine tests may detect recent substance use, hair analysis provides a broader detection window, capturing a more comprehensive substance history.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests are practically cheat-proof, being resilient to standard tampering strategies. This strengthens the reliability of test outcomes, offering peace of mind to employers and legal professionals alike.
Urine tests, though effective in a limited timeframe, lack the extended detection period that hair analysis provides.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in DeSoto, GA, offers an extended detection window that proves invaluable to employers. Spanning up to 90 days, it provides a thorough insight into an individual's drug history, supporting more informed decisions.

This extended analysis period means that employers gain clarity over potential hires or existing employees' substance use, resulting in a more secure and drug-free workplace.
With such a comprehensive detection capability, hair analysis often becomes the preferred choice over methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in DeSoto, GA, offer a robust defense against tampering. Unlike other testing methods easily susceptible to manipulation, these tests significantly minimize the risk of adulteration
Employers and legal bodies alike come to rely on the unquestionable reliability and integrity of hair analysis, making it a trustworthy choice in sensitive testing scenarios.

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing ensures unalterable results, enhancing the confidence in the findings. This security feature is especially appreciated in environments where result authenticity is paramount.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including in DeSoto, GA. Our facilities ensure easy access to testing services, streamlining the process for quick and hassle-free experiences.

With centers established across all major cities, obtaining a hair follicle test is straightforward and efficient. This widespread availability suits the needs of both local residents and companies seeking prompt testing solutions and results.

Simple, Confidential Process

In DeSoto, GA, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step ensures the privacy and ease of use that clients value.
An efficient system means participants are never left uncertain, maintaining transparency and trust throughout the process.

Privacy-conscious individuals appreciate our commitment to confidentiality. Each test is handled professionally, with consideration for the participant's privacy and personal information, bolstering customer confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing structures in DeSoto, GA, provide excellent value. Hair follicle testing is not only swift and reliable but also affordably priced, making it accessible to companies of varied sizes.
Quick turnaround times further enhance the value, delivering timely results that businesses can act upon promptly and with assurance.

By offering reasonable rates, reliable results, and fast processing times, companies can easily integrate our testing services into their protocols without incurring prohibitive costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their swift and accurate results in DeSoto, GA. With precise detection capabilities, these tests effectively identify substance use, ensuring reliability and confidence in the results.
Presenting a powerful advantage over other testing methods, hair analysis provides near-instant feedback, minimizing the wait times employers and individuals experience during testing processes.

The precision of hair follicle testing in detecting substances is unparalleled. High accuracy levels help reinforce trust in the results, which are crucial when making critical employment or legal decisions.
Employers can rest assured that the data they receive is not only fast but also dependable, fostering an environment of transparency and accountability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In DeSoto, GA, hair follicle testing ensures strong compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This approach mitigates legal risks, fostering a safer environment for both employers and employees.
Through reliable testing, companies experience peace of mind, knowing their drug-free policies are implemented effectively and errors in judgments are minimized.

Employing hair analysis strengthens workplace safety and reduces the risk of drug-related incidents. It helps companies maintain their commitment to a substance-free work environment, which ultimately benefits both the organization and its workforce.

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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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