Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jeffersonville, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair contains a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's growing fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period for alcohol and drugs of up to roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of nearly 200 strands of hair (approximately pencil-width of a #2 pencil) arranged closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG add-ons or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is missing, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. Referencing head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in clinical processing of a drug test result comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the process of incorporating a sample into the lab’s system. This includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening provides a budget-friendly means of eliminating drug use on many samples, a positive screen must be validated to be admissible in legal settings. Any samples that show presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is separated from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations much lower compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging approach to execute.

For the Confirmation of any positive screening result, methods used include GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation as warranted. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can indicate drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to shorter detection windows offered by urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: Tampering with hair drug tests is notably difficult, increasing the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Reveals historical usage: It can unveil a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect new use: It takes about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can affect the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly named "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Jeffersonville, GA

Compared to traditional urine testing, hair follicle tests offer significant advantages. Notably, they detect drug use over an extended period, allowing for a more comprehensive evaluation.
The superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing make it the preferred choice for employers committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in Jeffersonville.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Jeffersonville, GA

Hair follicle testing provides extensive insight into an individual's drug use history, often tracing back up to 90 days. This extended window presents employers with a thorough assessment of substance use behaviors.
Such detailed information is invaluable when evaluating current employees or potential hires, ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Jeffersonville, GA

The integrity of hair follicle tests is a critical benefit, significantly reducing the likelihood of sample tampering. This method's robustness ensures results remain trustworthy.
With minimal opportunities for adulteration, the conclusions drawn from hair tests are both reliable and definitive, offering peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Jeffersonville, GA

Our network of testing sites across the nation, including Jeffersonville, facilitates easy access to our services. This widespread availability simplifies scheduling immediate testing as required.
Employers and individuals experience minimal disruption through our strategically located centers, delivering efficient service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Jeffersonville, GA

The process is straightforward and private, addressing concerns about privacy and convenience. Scheduling and undertaking hair follicle tests are user-friendly, while confidentiality is stringently maintained.
Our commitment to an uncomplicated procedure with protected results ensures a worry-free experience for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Jeffersonville, GA

Competitive pricing and rapid delivery define our testing services, offering organizations economic value alongside swift outcomes.
Businesses of all sizes appreciate our budget-friendly rates combined with efficient result times, enhancing both monetary savings and operational effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Jeffersonville, GA

Hair follicle drug tests in Jeffersonville ensure swift and precise outcomes. Their unmatched accuracy guarantees a reliable detection of substance use, enhancing trust in the results.
Moreover, the speed at which these tests deliver results is unparalleled, ensuring employers and individuals receive timely and dependable information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Jeffersonville, GA

Adopting hair follicle testing helps companies ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal implications and enhancing safety.
Employers benefit from the assurance that their organization aligns with necessary compliance standards, supporting a secure and responsible work environment.

Drug Testing Near Jeffersonville, GA

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Robins AFB, GA

Montrose, GA

Irwinton, GA

Huber, GA

Allentown, GA

Bullard, GA

Danville, GA

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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