Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Morris, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an essential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug markers within the strands as they grow. When collected from near the scalp, hair can reflect up to a 3-month history of alcohol and drug use. Hair is easily collected, harder to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of nearly 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides about 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen quantity of 150mg is suggested. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair can be taken. When discussing head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. All other hair varieties (like facial or axillary) are categorized as body hair.

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with the sample being processed into the laboratory's system. This step verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is the initial, rapid evaluation for drug abuse. Although it's a cost-efficient method to discard drug use in most samples, any positive result from Screening needs confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that show a preliminary positive result during Screening require further verification.

If a preliminary positive result is found in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at a far lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples testing presumptive positive undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug evaluations can uncover drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection spectrum.
• Hard to deceive: It is notably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the results' reliability.
• Delivers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to determine recent consumption: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair assessments typically incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out over traditional urine tests in Morris, GA. Hair tests are known for their superior detection accuracy, offering a more reliable analysis over the urine tests. By identifying drug use history in greater detail, they provide an effective means for ensuring a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

In Morris, GA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing substance use up to 90 days prior, giving employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use history. This longer detection period ensures a more holistic assessment of substance abuse risks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests makes them highly reliable for drug testing in Morris, GA. They significantly reduce the chances of sample manipulation or adulteration, providing results that are credible and trustworthy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide and local testing centers in Morris, GA, accessing hair follicle testing is convenient. Our widespread and easily accessible locations make scheduling tests effortless, providing efficient and timely service without complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Morris, GA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving results, every step respects privacy, simplifying the entire testing experience and ensuring user comfort and trust.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround, our hair follicle drug testing in Morris, GA is not only affordable but also efficient. Delivering excellent value, these services are suitable for businesses of all sizes, ensuring prompt and economical solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Accurate and quick detection of substances is achievable through hair follicle drug tests in Morris, GA. With high precision, these tests effectively identify numerous substances, offering fast results that assist in making informed decisions. Their reliability is unmatched, ensuring accurate readings for a wide variety of drug types.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Morris, GA gain peace of mind through the compliance and safety benefits offered by hair follicle testing. By supporting drug-free workplace policies, these tests minimize legal liabilities and foster a safer work environment, aligning with company objectives.

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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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