Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shingler, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture and store biomarkers in its strands, giving an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use history. By obtaining samples near the scalp, hair tests can reveal substance use within a 3-month timeframe. It is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and effortless to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional testing, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, the same amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we are specifically addressing scalp hair. All other hair types (face, underarm, etc.) are considered body hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory testing for drugs encompasses four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially integrated into the lab’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missed data entry that an electronic custody chain doesn’t cover.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for commonly abused drugs. Although Screening is economical for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples with preliminary positive results in Screening must undergo further verification.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves gathering drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other sample types (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies.

Confirmation of positive screening conclusions uses techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating preliminary positivity undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is evaluated by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine testing with a shorter detection period.
• Challenges of cheating: Altering results is extremely difficult, enhancing accuracy.
• Historical data availability: Hair tests can expose a drug use pattern over time, not limited to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5 to 7 days.
• Costliness: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than alternative testing methods.
• Results differences: Elements such as hair color and growth variability can influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Although called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is of the hair strand, excluding the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to conventional urine testing in Shingler, GA, the benefits are clear. Hair testing offers superior accuracy and is less prone to tampering, providing an in-depth view of substance use over time. Unlike urine tests, hair tests capture a longer history of drug use, thus offering a more reliable portrayal of an individual's habits, vital for informed employment decisions.

Extended Detection Window

In Shingler, GA, hair follicle testing stands out due to its extended detection period, offering insights into drug use over the past 90 days. This broader time frame gives employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, proving invaluable for assessing the suitability of candidates or ongoing employee evaluations with a long-term perspective.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Shingler, GA, minimizes tampering risks, offering a trustworthy analysis process. The method reduces the chance of sample manipulation, ensuring results are accurate and indisputable. This reliability secures confidence in the testing outcomes, significantly aiding employers in maintaining an honest and compliant work environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With easily accessible nationwide locations and a specific presence in Shingler, GA, our testing facilities offer unmatched convenience. Our broad network ensures quick and hassle-free access for all testing needs, supporting businesses and individuals in obtaining reliable drug testing services without unnecessary delays or logistical challenges.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Shingler, GA, for hair follicle testing is straightforward and discreet. From ordering to obtaining results, the procedure is designed to protect privacy while ensuring ease of use. This confidential approach addresses privacy concerns and delivers simplicity and security in managing drug testing requirements efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Shingler, GA, our hair follicle drug testing stands out for competitive pricing and swift results. This efficient service provides excellent value, making it an attractive option for companies of various sizes. Employers can expect affordable rates while benefiting from quick turnaround times, supporting their drug testing needs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Shingler, GA, is renowned for delivering quick and reliable results. Utilizing precision technology, these tests offer a high degree of accuracy in identifying drug consumption patterns, ensuring confidence in the results from the start. The service expedites outcomes, allowing for timely decision-making processes essential for workplaces and legal purposes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Shingler, GA, gain peace of mind and legal compliance by choosing hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal exposures and enhancing safety. Employers can confidently maintain a secure and productive working atmosphere, assured of their workforce's compliance with substance standards.

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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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