Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Whitesburg, GA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair can capture a long-term record of alcohol and many drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can offer nearly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and various drugs. The collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is perfect for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra testing, and/or analyses above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. A jeweler’s scale is advised for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent portion of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair pertains to all other hair styles (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial intake of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be valid legally. Any samples with presumed positive results in Screening are subject to further confirmation.

Should a sample be assumed positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are recovered from hair at much lower concentrations than other techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening presents the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any initial positive screening outcome uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any presumed positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It is exceptionally challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring the accuracy of results.
• Historical insight: It delivers a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth rate can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing with urine testing in Whitesburg, GA, hair testing offers substantial benefits. Hair tests detect drug use over a longer period, providing a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history. This method is less susceptible to contamination and tampering, unlike traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Whitesburg, GA, present an extended detection window for drug use, up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe allows employers to gain a thorough overview of an employee's or candidate's substance use habits, making it an ideal choice for organizations aiming to maintain a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Whitesburg, GA, ensures reliable outcomes. Unlike urine samples, hair samples are significantly more challenging to adulterate, providing trust and assurance in the authenticity of the test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations both nationwide and locally in Whitesburg, GA, accessing drug testing services is simple and hassle-free. These facilities ensure that individuals and companies can quickly get the testing they need without unnecessary travel or delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Whitesburg, GA, is both simple and confidential. Our streamlined procedure for ordering tests, undergoing the testing process, and receiving results ensures privacy and peace of mind for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Whitesburg, GA, boasts affordable pricing and fast turnaround for hair follicle tests, delivering exceptional value. Our competitive pricing structure and quick processing times meet the needs of companies of all sizes, ensuring they receive vital information without undue expense.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Whitesburg, GA, hair follicle drug testing provides fast, accurate, and reliable results. The method's precision in identifying substance use makes it superior for organizations seeking dependable testing solutions. The speed at which results are returned enhances this method's value, ensuring informed decision-making for employers and professionals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Whitesburg, GA, supports employers in achieving compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By integrating this method, employers can minimize legal risks associated with substance use while promoting a safer and more responsible working environment.

Drug Testing Near Whitesburg, GA

Raymond, GA

Riverside, GA

Palmetto, GA

Centralhatchee, GA

Roopville, GA

East Newnan, GA

Carrollton, GA

Madras, GA

Newnan, GA

Chattahoochee Hills, GA

Fairplay, GA

Clem, GA

Sargent, GA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews