Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tiger, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has increasingly become a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol use. The fibers of a growing hair strand capture biomarkers, providing a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a window of detection for alcohol and drugs lasting up to roughly 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. It's suggested that the specimen be weighed with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar volume of body hair can be collected. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the introductory processing of a sample within a lab's framework. This step verifies that the sample was securely sealed and correctly shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive Screening requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is the most complex methodology to execute.

Any positive screen result is confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can track drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It's exceedingly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It offers a picture of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Results variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superiority Over Urine Testing
In Tiger, GA, hair follicle tests overshadow traditional urine tests due to their superior accuracy.

• Longer detection period
• More difficult to manipulate
• Consistent results

The main edge of hair testing over urine comes from its reliability and extended timeline. Employers who prioritize rigorous drug use policies can benefit greatly from the continuous advancements in hair follicle testing technology.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Employers in Tiger, GA, find a significant advantage in the extensive detection timeline offered by hair follicle tests.

• Up to 90 days of drug detection
• Comprehensive overview of substance use
• Insightful for screening

Hair follicle testing's extended detection ability provides Tiger, GA employers with substantial insights into an individual's past substance use, surpassing typical detection periods of other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Resilient Against Tampering
In Tiger, GA, the hair follicle test stands firm against sample tampering.

• Reduces the risk of adulteration
• Yields trustworthy results
• Observed collection process

The robustness of hair follicle testing in Tiger, GA, ensures high confidence levels in the results, significantly minimizing risks of tampered samples, thereby safeguarding the accuracy of substance testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations
With nationwide and local testing centers, Tiger, GA residents experience unparalleled convenience.

• Quick access to testing services
• Simple and efficient process
• Minimized wait times

Individuals and businesses in Tiger, GA, can benefit from our strategic location network, guaranteeing hassle-free access to efficient, high-quality hair follicle testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential
In Tiger, GA, ease and confidentiality are key in hair testing procedures.

• Straightforward ordering process
• Private testing assurance
• Effortless result retrieval

The efficient system in place at Accredited Drug Testing ensures a straightforward, discreet experience for Tiger, GA residents, answering privacy concerns while maintaining accessibility.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Economical and Efficient
In Tiger, GA, Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing with swift results, ideal for all business scales.

• Cost-effective testing solutions
• Rapid turnaround times
• Remarkable value propositions

For Tiger, GA companies, the blend of quick response times and economical fees offered by Accredited Drug Testing creates an outstanding resource for all testing necessities.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speed and Precision
In Tiger, GA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results, making them ideal for detecting substance use.

• High accuracy in results
• Rapid processing time
• Minimal chance of error

Hair follicle testing in Tiger, GA, offers exceptional accuracy, identifying substances even in challenging scenarios. With its swift result processing and reliable data, businesses can trust these tests to uphold high standards of drug-free workplaces.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Safety
For employers in Tiger, GA, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.

• Mitigates legal risks
• Enhances workplace safety
• Guarantees policy compliance

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Tiger, GA, supports a safe and compliant work environment, solidifying an organization’s commitment to preventing substance misuse.

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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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