Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hilltop, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair provides an extended timeline of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strands. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection range of up to approximately 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, relatively difficult to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch length of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair is an acceptable substitute. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types, such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This step includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and performing any additional data entry that is not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage suspects in the majority of samples, a positive screening result must be confirmed for it to be legally valid. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. In this process, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), a reason why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in accordance with both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can screen for drug use up to 90 days, a longer span compared to urine tests.
• Increased test integrity: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Chronic use analysis: These tests can reveal a continued pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing generally incurs greater expenses compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth variations may influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hilltop, GA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing by offering a more thorough detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests provide a comprehensive overview of an individual’s drug history.

The extended detection period of hair tests is significantly longer than urine tests, thereby offering a superior analytical advantage and reducing the scope of any potential misuse or manipulation of results.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle tests in Hilltop, GA, shed light on drug use up to 90 days prior, offering employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance history.

This long detection period stands in stark contrast to other testing methodologies, providing an invaluable resource for employers to assess the long-term substance use behaviors of potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Hilltop, GA, offers a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures that the results are trustworthy and beyond contestation.

The integrity of the testing process enhances its reliability, making hair follicle tests the gold standard for those concerned about sample manipulation and seeking verified results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Boasting convenient nationwide testing locations alongside those in Hilltop, GA, our services afford effortless and hassle-free access for all clients seeking testing.

This widespread availability simplifies the process, enabling people to find a testing center near them without inconvenience, thereby saving time and effort.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple and confidential process for ordering and receiving results in Hilltop, GA, guarantees a user-friendly experience while addressing privacy concerns.

The ease of use harmonizes with the importance of confidentiality, ensuring that individuals feel secure when engaging with our testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, our Hilltop, GA, services provide excellent value for businesses of all scales.

Competitive pricing coupled with speedy result delivery ensures companies receive substantial benefits and peace of mind, aligning with financial expectations and operational demands.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Providing fast, accurate, and reliable results in Hilltop, GA, hair follicle drug tests excel in precision and timeliness. Their high accuracy makes them a preferred choice for detecting substance use effectively.

The swift nature of hair follicle testing ensures that results are delivered promptly, aiding in timely decision-making processes in various scenarios where knowing the drug status is critical.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing into workplace policies in Hilltop, GA, enhances compliance and provides peace of mind for employers. This method strengthens a company's adherence to drug-free guidelines, minimizing legal risks.

Promoting a safer work environment, hair testing is an effective tool to support employer goals of maintaining a productive and secure 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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