Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Green, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. Hair samples taken near the scalp can reflect alcohol and other drug use over approximately a 3-month period. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's width) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, or more than 10-panel screenings, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample is suggested. In cases where scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary phases in lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into the lab’s workflow. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data input absent from the electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a preliminary examination for drug presence. Although cost-effective for ruling out drugs in most samples, positive Screening outcomes require confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples from Screening undergo further confirmation.

For positively presumed samples in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is selected for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirming any positive results from screening involves techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples assumed positive are cleaned before confirmation, if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair identification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, far exceeding urine tests’ shorter timeframes.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is nearly impossible, enhancing result fidelity.
• Historical usage insights: This method tracks drug consumption patterns over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair strands.
• Higher cost: Hair tests generally carry a greater expense compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth factors can influence metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: While popularly termed "hair follicle tests," the examination evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in West Green, GA

When comparing hair to traditional urine tests, hair testing emerges as a more reliable method. It extends its detection capabilities beyond urine's limitations, providing a complete picture of an individual's drug history. More resistant to trickery, hair tests stand out with their superior detection accuracy, making them the preferred choice for extensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in West Green, GA

Hair follicle testing sets itself apart with its ability to detect drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This makes it an indispensable tool for employers needing detailed insights into a candidate's past substance consumption. By offering an extensive detection timeline, hair testing provides a comprehensive view of an individual's habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in West Green, GA

One of the most compelling advantages of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples present fewer opportunities for adulteration, ensuring the integrity of the process. This reliability in results makes hair testing a cornerstone for accurate drug monitoring in various settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in West Green, GA

Accredited Drug Testing offers easy access to our facilities across the nation, simplifying the process for both employers and individuals. Our widespread network, including local centers in West Green, GA, ensures that testing services are always within reach, delivering convenience and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in West Green, GA

The process from ordering a test to receiving results is seamless and discreet. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that clients navigate the procedure without hassle, while maintaining strict confidentiality. This commitment to privacy and ease of use alleviates any concerns, focusing on delivering a smooth experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in West Green, GA

Accredited Drug Testing is known for its competitive pricing models that cater to businesses of all sizes. Coupled with rapid results, our services provide excellent value while ensuring that companies can sustain their testing programs without financial strain. This balance of affordability and speed is pivotal to our service promise.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in West Green, GA

Hair follicle tests offer an unmatched level of precision and speed in substance detection. These tests accurately reveal evidence of drug use, ensuring results that employers and organizations can trust. The state-of-the-art analysis techniques of hair testing quickly deliver data that is both precise and highly dependable.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in West Green, GA

Employers adhering to drug-free policies find hair follicle testing indispensable for maintaining compliance and mitigating risks. By incorporating hair tests, companies reinforce their commitment to safety and avoid potential legal issues, providing peace of mind and securing a healthy workplace.

Drug Testing Near West Green, GA

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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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