Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lindale, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair secures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection history for substances. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to gather 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. By 'head hair', we mean scalp hair specifically. 'Body hair' encompasses other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s workflow. This involves ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data inputs absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary swift test for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be authenticated for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, extra hair is retrieved from the initial sample and made ready for Extraction. At this phase, substances are removed from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug analysis is the most intricate method to execute.

All positive screening outcomes are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Pros of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: It is exceptionally hard to falsify a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Delivers historical insights: It can offer a timeline of drug usage over time, instead of just recent consumption.

Disadvantages:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis primarily evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Lindale, GA, the superiority of hair follicle drug tests is evident when compared to traditional urine tests. These tests provide a more extensive detection window and are harder to tamper with, offering reliable results. Their effectiveness is particularly noticeable in work environments requiring rigorous drug screening, ensuring a safer and more compliant workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
With the ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Lindale, GA, offers a broader view of an individual's substance history. This extended detection window is invaluable for employers seeking to understand an applicant or employee's long-term habits, ensuring they hire reliable and compliant individuals.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
The reliability of hair follicle tests in Lindale, GA, stems from their resilience against tampering. Unlike other methods, the collection and testing process is difficult to manipulate, ensuring that the results are trustworthy and accurate. This integrity makes hair testing a preferred option for regulatory compliance and personal assurance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Testing is hassle-free and quick with our nationwide and local centers in Lindale, GA. The accessibility of these centers ensures that individuals and businesses can easily access testing services, making drug testing a smooth and straightforward process. This ease of access reduces stress and increases efficiency in obtaining necessary results.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
The confidentiality and simplicity of the testing process in Lindale, GA, address privacy concerns effectively. From ordering to receiving results, individuals can expect a seamless experience. Emphasizing a discreet process ensures peace of mind for those undergoing evaluations, making it a favored choice for privacy-conscious participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Our affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times in Lindale, GA, provide companies of all sizes with excellent value. Competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses can maintain rigorous drug screening without financial strain, and the speedy processing of results guarantees minimal disruption to operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in Lindale, GA, make them a preferred choice for many. These tests are not only thorough but offer accurate detection of substance use, distinguishing themselves from traditional testing methods. The ability to deliver quick results further enhances their appeal, providing clarity and certainty to employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Lindale, GA, benefit from the compliance and peace of mind that hair follicle testing offers. By ensuring a drug-free workplace, businesses reduce legal liabilities and promote safety, fostering a healthier work environment. The assurance of compliance with workplace standards brings confidence and security to employers.

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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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