Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Redan, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluations are recognized as an effective method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair encapsulates an extended timeline of consumption by ensnaring biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. To achieve up to about a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances, hair should be collected directly adjacent to the scalp. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Use a jeweler’s scale for accuracy when weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a comparable volume of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean specifically scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair variations (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial introduction of a sample into the laboratory system. This step includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any requisite data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening carries out a preliminary rapid examination for illicit substances. Although Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use for most samples, it requires confirmation to be accepted in legal proceedings. Samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

A presumptive positive result discovered during the Screening phase prompts further hair extraction from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most demanding method to execute.

Any positive result from screening goes through Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for as long as 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that offer a shorter period.
• Difficult to manipulate: The likelihood of deceiving a hair drug test is minimal, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data provision: It provides usage patterns over a timeframe rather than just identifying recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to recognize recent consumption: Detecting drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier compared to other testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and unique hair growth rates can impact the levels of drug metabolites detected in hair.

Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests," the examination targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is superior to urine testing in Redan, GA due to its exceptional detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike conventional urine tests, hair analysis offers enhanced visibility into an individual's drug use history, making it the preferred choice for thorough drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Redan, GA provides employers with a comprehensive view of substance use. This capability to track drug use over a longer period helps in making informed employment decisions, ensuring a safer workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Redan, GA significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike urine tests, the integrity of hair samples is difficult to compromise, ensuring the results are trustworthy and indisputable, which is crucial for critical decision-making processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience with nationwide centers, including those in Redan, GA. Our wide network allows for quick, easy access to testing services, making it hassle-free for individuals and employers to schedule and conduct necessary drug tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Redan, GA, the process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential. Concerns about privacy are thoroughly addressed. Users can easily navigate through this streamlined system with confidence in their data protection.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Discover competitive pricing and swift service in Redan, GA with our hair follicle testing. Our affordable rates and quick turnaround times provide exceptional value, catering to companies of all sizes, ensuring budget-friendly drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Redan, GA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. These tests are highly accurate in pinpointing drug use, providing reliable results quickly. The method ensures substances are effectively detected, lending confidence to the outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Redan, GA benefit from hair follicle testing as it guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method not only minimizes legal risks but also fosters a safer working environment, ultimately offering peace of mind for businesses.

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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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