Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Abita Springs, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a reliable indicator of alcohol and other substances by holding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair can illustrate a detection timeframe of up to around three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to obtain, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A section of 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the recommended sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or over 10 panel tests, a sample of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers only to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Summary

The drug testing lab process encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This phase includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a primary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as an economical method to exclude drug use across many samples, a positive screen must be verified to stand in legal settings. Any sample triggering a preliminary positive in Screening requires additional confirmation.

Should there be a preliminary positive outcome in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which presents hair drug screening as the most complex method to execute.

The authentication of any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All potentially positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can reveal drug use extending up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers past usage insights: It can display a timeline of drug consumption over a longer duration, not merely recent activity.

Challenges:

• Limited to past use: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to be detectable in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests typically incur a higher cost than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair pigmentation and individual hair growth variability may influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair testing over urine testing in Abita Springs, LA is evident in its expansive detection range and reliability.
Hair follicle tests capture usage over extended durations, unlike urine tests limited to short-term detection. Hair tests provide comprehensive insights into substance habits, reducing false positives and negatives, thus assuring employers about applicant credibility.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers the advantage of an extended detection window, applicable in Abita Springs, LA.
Employers can trace substance use going back as far as 90 days, which delivers a factually consistent reflection of an individual's substance usage patterns. This prolonged detection is invaluable in understanding long-term habits and ensuring a steadfast drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Abita Springs, LA, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant method, adding a layer of security to results.
Due to the inherent challenges in altering hair samples, these tests rest assuredly free from adulterations or manipulations. Employers and legal entities thus receive reliable and defensible analyses, bolstering the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing locations are available both nationwide and locally in Abita Springs, LA.
Our extensive network makes accessing testing services simple and hassle-free, enabling fast evaluations regardless of geographical constraints. Whether personal clients or corporate entities, our strategically placed centers enhance accessibility and testing efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Abita Springs, LA, simplicity and confidentiality are the cornerstones of our testing process.
Our streamlined approach ensures ease in ordering tests, submitting samples, and receiving results, all the while respecting privacy concerns. This straightforward, undisclosed methodology assures clients of discretion alongside a user-friendly experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Abita Springs, LA boast affordable pricing and swift turnaround times.
Competitive rates coupled with rapid result processing offer companies economical solutions to their testing needs. With no compromise on quality or speed, organizations enjoy significant benefits and peace of mind regarding their drug testing programs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Accurate and speedy results in Abita Springs, LA are guaranteed with hair follicle testing. These tests offer unmatched precision in identifying substance use.
Hair analysis pinpoints minute traces of drugs, providing a clear evidence of consumption. With quick processing timelines, employers and individuals alike benefit from fast and trustworthy feedback, aiding in critical decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Abita Springs, LA gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing.
Such testing aids in fulfilling drug-free workplace mandates, mitigating legal liabilities. By embracing hair-based tests, businesses ensure a safer working environment and align with industry standards, ultimately reducing instances of drug-related incidents.

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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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