Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pittman, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the roots, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab's system. This step confirms that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for substances of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be permissible in court. All samples that are potentially positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample test potentially positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potentially positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insights: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug-testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test specifically analyses the hair strand rather than the scalp’s hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pittman, GA: Hair follicle testing provides superior detection with a more extended window period that uncovers substance use that urine testing might miss. It is considered more reliable as it minimizes adulteration risks.

The hair testing method can monitor drug use up to 90 days, a substantial leap over traditional urine tests, which are often limited to a narrow detection window, making hair tests a preferred choice for long-term insight into substance histories.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Pittman, GA: Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period, noticing drug use for up to 90 days—a factor critical for employers requiring a thorough review of an individual's drug history.

This prolonged observation period enables employers to make more informed decisions by understanding the long-term substance use tendencies of applicants or employees, ensuring a safer workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pittman, GA: Hair follicle tests effectively reduce the possibility of sample tampering, ensuring reliable results. Unlike some other testing methods, the integrity of hair samples remains intact until they are analyzed.

This testing method's resistance to manipulation fosters trustworthy results, providing both peace of mind to employers and assurance in policy compliance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pittman, GA: The availability of our extensive network of testing centers simplifies access to drug testing services, facilitating ease of process for individuals and companies alike.

With centers positioned conveniently nationwide, they provide streamlined, hassle-free access to testing facilities, ensuring that geographical location does not become a barrier to obtaining crucial testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Pittman, GA: We prioritize simplicity and privacy throughout the testing process, from ordering and taking tests to receiving confidential results.

This emphasis on discretion reassures individuals and employers of privacy and ease, promoting a seamless experience devoid of unnecessary complications, encouraging broader utilization and trust in our testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pittman, GA: Our competitive pricing schemes align with fast turnaround times, offering excellent value for businesses of all scales.

By ensuring quick result availability and affordable options, we equip organizations with essential information swiftly, supporting timely and informed decision-making without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pittman, GA: Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and precision, delivering quick results that are crucial for timely decision-making. Their high accuracy ensures the detection of various substances, providing reliable insights into substance use patterns.

These tests are specially designed to identify the presence of substances accurately, reducing the chances of false positives and negatives, which significantly contributes to maintaining trust in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pittman, GA: Utilizing hair follicle testing guarantees adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing overall safety at the workplace.

Employers can bear peace of mind knowing this testing approach supports a non-tolerance stance against drug use. It assures the enforcement of policies aimed at maintaining a safe and regulatory-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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