Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Morgan, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as a potent method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by sequestering biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strand. When sampled near the scalp, it can deliver a detection window extending approximately up to 3 months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the girth of a #2 pencil) found closest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unattainable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is about the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step entails ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling any extra data not handled by an electronic custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is economically viable for negating drug use within the bulk of samples, a screen-positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any prescreen-positive samples are in need of additional verification.

In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is used for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the toughest methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screen outcome is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive specimens are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests uncover drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a narrower detection timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, which enhances result reliability.
• Shows history: It reflects a pattern of drug consumption over time, instead of just recent use.

Limitations:

• Lack of detection for recent usage: Drugs typically become noticeable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variation: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Morgan, GA, hair follicle testing offers multiple advantages over urine testing. Hair tests provide a more accurate picture, allowing better detection of drug use over a longer period. Compared to the conventional urine tests, they are less prone to manipulation, delivering more reliable and precise outcomes. This consistency is crucial for employers prioritizing steadfast drug-use detection protocols.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Morgan, GA provide a prolonged detection window over conventional tests, tracing drug use up to 90 days. This comprehensive history aids employers in assessing an applicant or employee’s substance background, offering a broader understanding for informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Morgan, GA, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests significantly curtails the risk of sample meddling. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer almost foolproof verification, providing genuine results that avert doubts about sample integrity or potential manipulation, ensuring trustworthy outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The nationwide spread of testing centers, including local sites in Morgan, GA, highlights the accessibility of our services. Easy and hassle-free access to testing offers a seamless experience for individuals and organizations, ensuring they receive their results efficiently and conveniently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process in Morgan, GA is straightforward and discreet. Ordering, taking tests, and receiving results are designed to uphold privacy and user-friendliness, simplifying concerns about procedure intricacies and confidentiality, giving clients a seamless experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Morgan, GA, competitive pricing coupled with fast turnaround times offers corporations of any scale affordable and efficient solutions. Companies can enjoy exceptional value with quick, reliable results, easing financial concerns while maintaining assessment excellence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and precise outcomes distinguish hair follicle drug tests in Morgan, GA. Their exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use ensures highly reliable results, useful for both employers and individuals. Rapid turnaround from testing to results allows quick decision-making, demonstrating the method's efficiency in responding to drug-use concerns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Morgan, GA benefit from hair follicle testing due to compliance assurance with drug-free policies. These tests minimize legal repercussions, enhance workplace safety, and offer peace of mind by ensuring all employees adhere to established substance use guidelines.

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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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