Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Macland, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a prolonged record of drugs and alcohol by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the newly formed hair strand. When cut near the scalp, the hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection timeline for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and effortless to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra elements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the specimen. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is not present, the equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps in processing a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial input of a sample into a lab's system. This process consists of verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial quick evaluation for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive result at this stage requires confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples with a presumptively positive Screening result need secondary confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or saliva), which makes hair drug screening a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes a wash before confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subjected to review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Resistant to tampering: It is exceedingly difficult to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Historical usage data: It provides a timeline of drug use over a span, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can affect drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Macland, GA
Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests in accuracy and reliability. This superior method boasts a longer detection window and a lower likelihood of tampering, making it a more dependable option for employers seeking comprehensive drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window with Hair Follicle Testing in Macland, GA
One key advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection period, which can reveal drug use for up to 90 days. This provides employers with a valuable insight into an individual's long-term substance use patterns, contributing to informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reduced Tampering with Hair Follicle Testing in Macland, GA
The robust nature of hair follicle tests significantly diminishes the risk of sample tampering, ensuring the results are reliable and trustworthy. This gives businesses confidence in the authenticity of their drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience and Local Testing in Macland, GA
Our extensive network of testing centers across the country ensures seamless access to services. Whether local or far, our testing locations provide convenient, hassle-free solutions for all your drug testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Hair Testing Process in Macland, GA
The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and assures privacy. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be simple and confidential, easing concerns about privacy while maintaining ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Quick Results in Macland, GA
Our hair follicle testing services offer excellent value with competitive pricing structures. Matched with speedy turnaround times, these services provide reassurance and economic benefits to businesses of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Swift, Reliable, and Accurate: Hair Follicle Drug Testing in Macland, GA
Hair follicle drug tests offer speedy and precise results, ensuring high accuracy in identifying substance use. These tests are unmatched in their ability to consistently deliver reliable data, making them a preferred choice for timely drug testing needs in Macland, GA.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind for Macland, GA Employers
Employing hair follicle testing helps companies adhere to strict drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks. This method upholds safety standards and instills confidence amongst employers regarding a secure and compliant work environment.

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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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