Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Milner, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a formidable instrument for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains an extended historical record of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair strand’s fibers. When harvested close to the scalp, hair can present up to an approximately three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Collection of hair samples is straightforward, is somewhat resistant to tampering, and can be easily transported.

A 1.5 inch sample consisting of about 200 hair fibers (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extensions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair imply exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning signifies the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab's framework, including verifying a sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach for ruling out drug usage on majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples presumptively positive during Screening need additional confirmation.

If a sample is reportedly positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can spot drug use for as long as 90 days, surpassing urine tests which provide a shorter detection timeline.
• Challenging to deceive: It’s exceedingly tough to deceive a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Provides chronological data: Offers a portrait of drug consumption over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While often called "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair shaft and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests in Milner, GA, hair testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its ability to catch long-term drug use makes it indispensable for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Hair follicle tests outperform traditional urine tests by offering an extended detection window, making them a preferred choice for employers and legal bodies alike.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing offers employers in Milner, GA a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history. This provides a more accurate assessment than other testing methods.

Employers benefit from the ability to see an applicant's or employee's substance history over an extended period, providing greater insight and reassurance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the chances of sample tampering, ensuring results are reliable and undisputable in Milner, GA. This method addresses concerns of sample integrity effectively.

In Milner, GA, hair testing is recognized for its tamper-resistant nature, ensuring that results reflect true substance use without question.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient nationwide testing locations, including local options in Milner, GA, make accessing hair follicle testing services hassle-free and quick, ensuring minimal disruption.

Our extensive network of centers across the country and in Milner, GA ensures you are never far from a testing center, providing rapid and convenient service.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Milner, GA, our simple and confidential process ensures ease of use and privacy, from ordering a hair follicle test to receiving your results.

This streamlined approach reassures individuals about the confidentiality and accessibility of testing services without compromising on efficacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, our hair follicle tests provide excellent value in Milner, GA. Fast turnaround ensures results are delivered swiftly, meeting company needs for efficiency.

Affordable pricing coupled with quick processing times means businesses can maintain their budgets while receiving reliable test outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests makes them a reliable option for identifying substance use. In Milner, GA, these tests provide high accuracy, delivering fast and dependable results to those who need them most.

With rapid processing times, hair follicle tests deliver timely results without compromising on accuracy. They offer an efficient solution for individuals and employers looking for thorough drug detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Milner, GA, hair follicle testing helps maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances safety, promoting a secure work environment.

By employing hair follicle testing, businesses ensure they're fulfilling regulatory obligations while safeguarding their workforce.

Drug Testing Near Milner, GA

Experiment, GA

Williamson, GA

The Rock, GA

Topeka Junction, GA

Griffin, GA

East Griffin, GA

Zebulon, GA

Meansville, GA

Piedmont, GA

Barnesville, GA

Orchard Hill, GA

Aldora, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews