Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Esom Hill, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When procured near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a roughly 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to collect, difficult to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 strands of hair, similar to the size of a #2 pencil, closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for evaluation and affirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Referring to head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases involved in the lab examination of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the early processing of a sample into a lab's system. This process entails confirming the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial swift examination for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use on most samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing poses the greatest challenge of all testing methods.

Verification of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to verification as necessary. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the approval to ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests have the ability to identify drug usage for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficult to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical data: It can reveal a trend of drug consumption over a duration of time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It takes approximately 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Elements like hair color and individual discrepancies in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation is on the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Esom Hill, GA, hair follicle testing eclipses the traditional urine testing methods through improved accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a broad detection spectrum, detailed history of drug usage, and are difficult to cheat. Urine tests, while common, cannot match the extended detection period and tamper-proof nature of hair follicle analysis, making hair tests superior in both reliability and precision.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Esom Hill, GA gain insight into an individual's long-term substance use through hair follicle testing, which can detect drug use up to 90 days prior. This extended detection window provides a thorough overview of a candidate's or employee's drug history, critical for making informed hiring decisions and maintaining a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Esom Hill, GA minimizes sample tampering, offering a secure method for drug detection. Its robust design makes it difficult to alter results, ensuring credible data for consumers.
Steps in the testing process align with high standards, preventing manipulation or compromise of test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Conveniently accessible, the testing locations in Esom Hill, GA and nationwide assure easy reachability. With numerous centers available, our services facilitate quick, stress-free testing processes. Our widespread presence simplifies the logistics of getting tested, allowing customers to focus on their needs without unnecessary hurdles.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Esom Hill, GA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private, catering to those who value discretion and simplicity. Ordering, testing, and result retrieval are conducted with confidentiality in mind, ensuring that users' personal information and test outcomes remain secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and swift results distinguish our hair follicle testing services in Esom Hill, GA. Companies of various sizes can benefit from our cost-effective solutions and quick turnaround times, ensuring optimal value and reassurance when engaging in substance detection procedures.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Esom Hill, GA stands out for its speed and accuracy in detecting substances. Its precision ensures high reliability in results, making it a trusted choice for those needing definitive answers quickly.
Accurate outcomes instill confidence in individuals and organizations alike, reinforcing its status as a leading method for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing contributes significantly to safety and compliance with workplace drug policies in Esom Hill, GA. By reducing legal risks, enhancing employee safety, and aligning with zero-tolerance policies, this testing method offers peace of mind for employers and HR departments dedicated to maintaining a safe and productive 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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