Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mount Bethel, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The hair captures long-term drug and alcohol history by embedding biomarkers within its strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to around 90 days. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) taken from near the scalp equates to 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for primary screening and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests with more than 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advised. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. Note that when we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair categories (such as facial and underarm hair).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning starts with integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This phase ensures the sample's seal and shipping integrity, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening provides a preliminary rapid check for substance misuse. While Screening is cost-efficient and can preclude drug use for most samples, a positive result necessitates further confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples suspected to be positive from Screening undergo secondary verification.

In cases where a sample is tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection and readied for Extraction. Drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or saliva), which is why hair drug analysis is considered a complex technique.

Positive Screening results are confirmed through the use of GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washings are applied to all suspected positive samples before confirmation. The comprehensive lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the dual standards of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, as opposed to the shorter timeframe of urine tests.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating a hair test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological drug use data: It reflects a timeline of drug use, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Misidentification of recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Individual factors like hair color and growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mount Bethel, GA

Hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage over traditional urine tests, boasting superior accuracy and reliability. This method is ideal for detecting long-term substance use from a sample.

While urine tests only capture recent drug use, hair testing provides a greater window of detection, giving employers a more comprehensive look at an individual's history.

In addition to greater accuracy, hair tests require a non-intrusive collection process, making them both user-friendly and difficult to manipulate compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mount Bethel, GA

Hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window, able to identify drug use up to 90 days prior. This unique advantage enables employers to gain insight into an applicant’s or employee’s true substance history.

By covering such a broad timeframe, hair testing provides a detailed picture of patterns in drug use that short-term tests miss, making it invaluable for thorough evaluations of substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mount Bethel, GA

Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to tampering, offering an unparalleled level of reliability and accuracy. With routine observation during sample collection, opportunities for manipulation are virtually eliminated.

This robustness makes hair tests a top choice for organizations committed to integrity and trust in their drug testing processes, ensuring unquestionable results every time.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mount Bethel, GA

Accredited Drug Testing ensures testing convenience in Mount Bethel with a network of nationwide centers that provide easy access to our services. This wide reach guarantees hassle-free scheduling and testing appointments.

Our local and national presence ensures a seamless experience tailored to the testing needs of individuals and organizations wherever they are.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mount Bethel, GA

Our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and maintains confidentiality, making it easy to order and receive results securely. This ensures privacy and reliability for all involved individuals.

By streamlining collection, analysis, and result dissemination, we make sure that your testing experience is stress-free from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mount Bethel, GA

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing alongside fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our efficient services ensure that Mount Bethel clients receive cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on quality.

Delivering results promptly enables businesses to proceed with confidence while managing budgets effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mount Bethel, GA

When it comes to speed and accuracy, hair follicle drug testing is unmatched. By detecting a wide range of substances with high precision, it offers a fast and reliable method for institutions seeking quality drug screening solutions.

With rigorous testing methodologies, the accuracy of hair tests ensures dependable detection of substance use, making it a valuable tool for employers and institutions alike.

Turnaround times are quick without compromising detail, allowing employers to make informed decisions promptly. By choosing hair testing, Mount Bethel organizations receive a high level of precision and reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mount Bethel, GA

Employing hair follicle testing assures compliance with stringent drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and boosting workplace safety. Providing a reliable drug history, it helps fulfill regulatory requirements seamlessly.

With hair testing, employers gain peace of mind knowing they are utilizing a trusted, comprehensive approach to maintaining a safe, drug-free 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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