Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Knoxville, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug usage by retaining biomarkers within its growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

Collecting a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. By "head hair," we specifically mean scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types (like facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry required beyond an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though cost-efficient for eliminating drug usage in most samples, any positive result from Screening requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening need a second confirmation.

When a sample tests positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used for Confirming any positive screening results. All presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the scrutiny of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Reveals usage patterns: It provides a timeline of drug use over months, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days post-use for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally costs more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Knoxville, GA, offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. With a longer detection period, hair tests provide a more comprehensive understanding of substance use over time, ensuring higher reliability in results.

The benefits over urine tests are evident, as hair testing reduces false negatives and offers a less invasive process, making it a preferred screening method for various institutions.

Extended Detection Window

In Knoxville, GA, the hair follicle test's extended detection window of up to 90 days gives employers and individuals a robust view of substance use history. This timeline is significantly longer than other testing methods, including urine tests.

With the ability to detect drug use over several months, hair testing offers a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s history, informing crucial hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Knoxville, GA, offer a tamper-resistant approach to drug testing. This method significantly minimizes the chances of sample adulteration, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the results.

By using hair samples, this testing method provides unquestionable results that can be trusted by employers and institutions looking to uphold strict substance use policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations throughout Knoxville, GA, and nationwide, providing hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services. Our wide reach ensures that no matter where you are, comprehensive testing is readily available.

By choosing our services, individuals and companies benefit from the ease of accessing testing centers, simplifying the process and ensuring timely results.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Knoxville, GA, is simple and confidential, ensuring users' privacy and ease of use. From ordering to testing and receiving results, each step is designed to be straightforward and stress-free.

Our streamlined procedures guarantee that personal information is protected, allowing individuals to complete their testing needs with confidence and without undue concern.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Knoxville, GA, combines affordable pricing with fast turnaround times, offering excellent value for companies of all sizes. Our competitive structures ensure cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.

With our efficient processes, employers receive reliable results quickly, ensuring minimal disruption and maximized productivity within their organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Knoxville, GA, offers superior accuracy and speed, allowing for fast, reliable results that aid in identifying substance use. This method's precision makes it an excellent choice for those seeking dependable detection solutions.

By integrating advanced testing procedures, hair follicle testing provides rapid outcomes, ensuring that employers can make informed decisions quickly. The accuracy of this technique makes it stand out in the fast-paced environments of today.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Knoxville, GA, promotes compliance with workplace drug-free policies, providing peace of mind for employers. This testing method reduces legal risks associated with non-compliance and strengthens workplace safety protocols.

Employers can trust in the reliability and effectiveness of hair tests to enhance security and maintain a productive, drug-free work environment.

Drug Testing Near Knoxville, GA

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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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