Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sandy Cross, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now highly regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within its growing strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate three-month detection range for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields a 100mg sample, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10 items, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the first step where a sample is introduced into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and forwarded correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry that the electronic chain of custody system did not provide.

Screening is a preliminary and swift examination for drugs of misuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for court admission. Any Screening results that are presumptively positive need secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter window of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating hair drug test results is extremely difficult, enhancing their accuracy.
• Tracks usage patterns: It can depict a history of drug consumption over time, not just the most recent use.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection of recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Sandy Cross, GA, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides a longer detection period, reflecting substance use over weeks rather than days.

A key benefit is the increased accuracy and reliability, as hair tests are less prone to manipulation, ensuring more trustworthy results than the conventional urine testing approach.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Sandy Cross, GA, appreciate the extended detection period of hair follicle testing for drugs, reaching up to 90 days back. This extensive window paints a comprehensive picture of a person's drug use history.

This insight allows employers to better assess potential hires or current employees' suitability for their roles, fostering a safer and more productive workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Sandy Cross, GA, is known for its tamper-resistant nature, significantly minimizing the chances of sample adulteration. This characteristic ensures that results are both reliable and trustworthy.

Unlike other testing methods vulnerable to cheating, hair tests maintain integrity throughout the process, making it easier for employers and law enforcement to depend on these tests for accurate outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing simplifies access with its convenient locations nationwide and locally in Sandy Cross, GA. These widespread centers ensure that test services are within easy reach for employers and individuals alike.

Whether close to home or further afield, our test centers provide a hassle-free experience, promoting quick and efficient testing processes for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Sandy Cross, GA, residents can rest assured with a simple and confidential process for hair drug testing. From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, every step ensures privacy and ease of use.

We address privacy concerns diligently, giving individuals confidence their data is handled securely, fostering trust in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Sandy Cross, GA, we offer competitive pricing for hair follicle drug testing, emphasizing fast turnaround times. This makes testing accessible for companies of any size seeking cost-effective solutions.

Providing excellent value, we ensure that our services meet the financial and operational needs of various clients, supporting informed decision-making without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and quick output of hair follicle drug tests in Sandy Cross, GA highlight their superior accuracy in identifying substance use. These tests deliver fast and accurate results, helping employers and authorities make informed decisions promptly.

With advanced technology, hair tests efficiently and effectively determine the presence of drugs in an individual's system, ensuring reliable reporting and reducing the risk of errors associated with traditional testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Sandy Cross, GA, hair follicle testing aligns with compliance needs and promotes a drug-free workplace policy. This testing method mitigates legal risks and improves workplace safety by ensuring individuals are substance-free.

Such assurance gives companies peace of mind, knowing that their workforce supports a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.

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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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