Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Twin Lakes, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When taken from near the scalp, hair offers an approximately 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

Acquiring a 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, considered an optimal sampling for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of the sample. It's advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair could be utilized. When discussing head hair, it strictly pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning comprises the preliminary handling of a sample within the laboratory’s framework. This step involves ensuring the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective means to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples presumed positive during Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample be assumed positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the toughest methodology to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing as essential before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing detects drug usage over a 90-day span, unlike urine tests which have limited detection span.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It depicts a usage pattern over a period, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs greater costs than other testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Factors like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Twin Lakes, GA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests in precision. Hair tests offer superior detection because they can identify drug use over extended periods, unlike urine tests limited to recent use.

Hair testing provides higher accuracy and reliability, setting it apart from traditional urine tests. Its efficacy makes it the preferred choice for strict drug-free environments.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Twin Lakes, GA, drug detection extends up to 90 days. This period allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of substance use history, enhancing the vetting process.

Unlike other methods, hair tests create a detailed record of drug use, proving instrumental in maintaining rigorous substance-free surroundings over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Twin Lakes, GA significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering. By offering a reliable method, these tests ensure unquestionable results.

This testing mechanism provides confidence in results, reducing the probability of adulteration which is more common with other testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers in Twin Lakes, GA, and nationwide offer a convenient solution. This broad network ensures easy access to reliable testing services.

Quick and hassle-free access to these locations supports efficient service delivery, aligning testing needs with available facilities for various stakeholders.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Twin Lakes, GA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking, and obtaining results is simplified, addressing concerns of privacy.

Ease of use is paramount, with a focus on maintaining discretion throughout the testing sequence, ensuring user comfort and security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability and fast turnaround define hair follicle testing in Twin Lakes, GA. Competitive pricing structures offer great value for businesses regardless of size.

Swift processing times complement our pricing, providing a balanced proposition between cost and service speed, benefiting clients significantly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Twin Lakes, GA ensure fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests provide unmatched precision in determining substance usage, offering a higher level of accuracy than conventional methods.

The efficiency of hair testing cannot be overstated, as it quickly identifies various substances without delay. This leads to faster decisions for employers and institutions relying on these results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Twin Lakes, GA ensures employer compliance with strict drug-free policies. It reduces legal risks while enhancing safety and organizational commitment to health protocols.

Employers gain peace of mind through accurate detection, aligning with regulatory standards and minimizing liabilities associated with drug 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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