Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Spring Place, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When taken near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for testing. For EtG, additional tests, and tests above 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the laboratory process for a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the sample's initial entry into a lab's system. It involves ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data not provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a preliminary check for substance abuse. Though cost-effective and capable of excluding drug use for most specimens, a positive screen necessitates verification to be court-admissible. All samples with presumptive positive results in Screening need confirmatory testing.

If Screening yields a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing among the most challenging methods to execute.

Any positive screening results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is very difficult to cheat a hair drug test, making the results more accurate.
• Provides historical data: It can provide a pattern of drug use over a period of time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are generally more expensive than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can affect the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the assessment itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Spring Place, GA

Hair follicle testing provides superior detection capabilities compared to more conventional urine tests. It offers enhanced accuracy in identifying drug use, making it a more dependable option for drug screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Spring Place, GA

One of the significant benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This offers employers a more comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Spring Place, GA

Hair follicle tests in Spring Place, GA, are designed to significantly minimize the possibility of tampering. This method ensures results that are reliable and hard to dispute.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Spring Place, GA

The broad network of nationwide testing centers, including local sites in Spring Place, GA, provides a convenient and hassle-free process for accessing testing services swiftly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Spring Place, GA

The process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results in Spring Place, GA, is straightforward and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns clients may have.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Spring Place, GA

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Spring Place, GA, ensuring excellent value for businesses of all sizes and providing peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Spring Place, GA

The precision of hair follicle testing in Spring Place, GA, ensures rapid and trustworthy results. This testing method offers an exceptional level of accuracy when identifying substance use, setting it apart as a reliable choice for assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Spring Place, GA

Utilizing hair follicle testing aids in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing potential legal risks, and promoting a safer work environment, offering peace of mind for employers.

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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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