Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Turnerville, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by preserving biomarkers within the hair strand’s fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to alteration, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample amount for testing. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is insufficient, a similar portion of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.)

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial step of entering a sample into a lab’s system. It involves ensuring the sample’s seal and shipment were intact, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial swift examination for substance abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for dismissing drug usage in most samples, a positive reading necessitates confirmation for court acceptability. Samples that are initially positive in Screening require further validation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are removed from hair at much more minimal concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging technique to undertake.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• High resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are extremely difficult to circumvent, ensuring more reliable results.
• Demonstrates usage patterns: It provides data on drug use trends over time, not just recent abuses.

Limitations:

• Incapable of showing recent use: Detection in hair takes around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expenses: Hair drug evaluations are typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as different hair colors and growth rates can impact the drug metabolite concentrations found in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", these tests analyze the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Turnerville, GA

In Turnerville, hair follicle testing stands out when compared to traditional urine tests, thanks to its superior detection capabilities and robustness. Hair tests assess substance use with a high degree of overall reliability.

One pivotal advantage is its extensive detection window, which allows for a retrospective assessment of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter period.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Turnerville, GA

Hair follicle testing is a preferred choice in Turnerville due to its ability to detect drug use over an extended period. It can review substance use history up to 90 days, offering employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance behavior.

This long detection window is especially valuable to employers who need consistent and reliable data to make informed decisions regarding their workforce integrity and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Turnerville, GA

Hair follicle drug tests provide a robust solution to the problem of sample tampering in Turnerville. The nature of these tests makes them significantly resistant to manipulation, thus ensuring that results are both reliable and authentic.

Choosing hair testing effectively alleviates concerns associated with other testing methods, offering confidence to both companies and individuals regarding the validity of results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Turnerville, GA

Our nationwide and local testing centers, including those in Turnerville, offer unmatched convenience. Clients benefit from quick and hassle-free access to testing services, enhancing efficiency and service satisfaction.

These strategically located centers ensure that individuals and businesses can easily reach our services, reducing the stress and complexity associated with drug testing logistics.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Turnerville, GA

The process for hair follicle testing in Turnerville is straightforward and respects individual privacy. From test ordering to results delivery, the process is designed to be user-friendly while ensuring confidentiality.

Concerns about privacy are alleviated through our discreet operations, ensuring clients feel secure and comfortable throughout the entire testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Turnerville, GA

In Turnerville, our competitive pricing and efficient service delivery provide businesses with excellent value. The quick turnaround time ensures minimal disruption to operations, with results delivered promptly.

Our pricing structures are designed with scalability in mind, making them suitable for businesses of different sizes, contributing to peace of mind and effective budget management.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Turnerville, GA

In Turnerville, hair follicle drug tests offer a high degree of precision and speed. These tests are renowned for their ability to reliably and accurately detect a wide array of substances, providing peace of mind to both employers and individuals.

The key strength of hair testing lies in its accuracy. In comparison to other methods, hair tests deliver results with minimal room for error. This reliability ensures trust in the process and outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Turnerville, GA

Employers in Turnerville can rely on hair follicle testing to maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies. An effective tool for minimizing legal liabilities and promoting a safe work environment, this testing method offers substantial peace of mind.

Through the adoption of hair testing, companies demonstrate a strong commitment to workplace safety and compliance, fostering a secure and healthy organizational culture.

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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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