Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Russell, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as a potent method for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair can provide a long-term substance use history by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection window for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

When collecting a 1.5-inch specimen of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, you'll have 100mg of hair, the optimal sample amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of the sample within the lab system. This process involves checking that samples were properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. While Screening offers a cost-effective manner to discount drug usage across most samples, positive results must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

For presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations substantially lower than those in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging procedure to execute.

To confirm positive screenings, techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. All samples that return presumptive positives are washed before proceeding to confirmation if necessary. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span, hair drug tests can indicate drug use over a period extending up to 90 days.
• Cheating challenges: Cheating a hair drug test is immensely challenging, which ensures more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: Testing can reveal a timeline of drug use over a period, not merely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Recent use undetectability: Detection of drugs in hair typically starts around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than alternative testing options.
• Result variation: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be affected by factors like hair color and individual growth differences.

Note: Despite being popularly labeled "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Russell, GA, hair follicle testing proves superior over urine tests, providing reliable detection and accuracy. These tests offer comprehensive drug use insights, detecting substances over an extended period while ensuring precision and trustworthiness. Hair testing stands as a better option than traditional urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

For employers in Russell, GA, hair follicle testing captures drug use information over a remarkably long detection window of up to 90 days. This allows for an in-depth understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, offering a broader perspective on drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Russell, GA, significantly diminishes the chance of tampering, ensuring accuracy in test results. By providing a tamper-resistant method, these tests offer clients confidence and assurance in the authenticity and fidelity of the outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient locations across Russell, GA, and nationwide, our testing centers guarantee efficient and hassle-free access to services. Benefit from quick and easy testing, providing results without inconvenience, thanks to our extensive testing network.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Russell, GA, the simplicity and confidentiality of the hair follicle testing process address privacy and usability concerns. From ordering to completing the test and receiving results, each step is handled with ease, emphasizing discretion and straightforwardness.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering exceptional value, our hair follicle tests in Russell, GA provide competitive pricing paired with rapid turnaround times. Companies of all sizes can enjoy the benefits—affordable rates, quick results, and reliable service, making testing both economical and efficient.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Russell, GA, ensure they are unparalleled. Results are not just fast; they are also incredibly accurate. These tests detect substance use with heightened accuracy, making them a reliable choice for anyone in need of precise testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employment in Russell, GA, benefits from hair follicle testing by sustaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Such methods alleviate legal risks and foster safer work environments, granting employers security and peace of mind in policy adherence and staff conduct.

Drug Testing Near Russell, GA

Halls, GA

Adairsville, GA

Coosa, GA

Six Mile, GA

Lindale, GA

Reeves, GA

Everett, GA

Plainville, GA

Floyd, GA

Rome, GA

Garden Lakes, GA

Shannon, GA

Armuchee, GA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews