Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Alto, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by securing biomarkers within the fibers of the expanding hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, fairly hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil width) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for measuring the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair covers all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is mainly comprised of four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial setup of a sample into a laboratory's system. This includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an immediate preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be deemed acceptable in court. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening need a secondary verification.

If the sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection duration: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a brief detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Delivers historical data: Offers a profile of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to appear in the hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Alto, LA, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests provide a short-term snapshot, hair tests offer a long-term view of substance use history.
The accuracy of hair testing makes it invaluable for organizations seeking precise results. This method stands out in its ability to reveal a comprehensive picture of an individual's substance use behavior.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Alto, LA, allows for the detection of drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This extended window gives employers a detailed understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history.
Unlike other tests, this method covers a broader timeframe, ensuring that employers can evaluate an individual's long-term habits effortlessly, aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Alto, LA, offer a significant reduction in sample adulteration risks. This testing method provides reliable and unquestionable results, which is crucial in legal, professional, and personal realms.
By utilizing this tamper-resistant technique, organizations gain confidence in the authenticity of results, making it a preferred choice for those valuing integrity in testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience in Alto, LA. This vast network ensures easy access to testing services, making the process seamless for all clients.
Local and national locations guarantee a hassle-free experience, emphasizing our commitment to providing efficient and accessible drug testing solutions across regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Alto, LA, the drug testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, each step is designed to prioritize privacy and ease of use.
This straightforward approach addresses any concerns about confidentiality, ensuring clients feel secure and comfortable throughout the process, highlighting our dedication to customer care.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Alto, LA, offers competitive pricing coupled with fast turnaround times. This combination provides exceptional value, ensuring companies of all sizes can benefit from our affordable and efficient services.
Our commitment to cost-effective solutions allows businesses to confidently invest in reliable testing without financial strain, supporting their operational needs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Alto, LA, stand out. They provide high accuracy in detecting substance use, offering results with remarkable speed. Employers can trust these tests for their reliability and swift outcome.
Compared to other testing methods, hair follicle tests ensure fast, accurate, and reliable results, making them a preferred choice for those prioritizing efficiency and certainty.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Alto, LA, achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing, which aligns with drug-free workplace policies. This approach reduces legal risks and significantly enhances workplace safety.
Hair testing ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, providing an assurance that policies are being followed, creating a safer work environment for everyone involved.

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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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