Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atlanta, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying the usage of substances like drugs and alcohol. Hair strands act as a repository, encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers during growth. When clipped near the scalp, these hair strands can reveal a drug and alcohol usage history extending up to three months. The process of obtaining hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands—comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil—closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both initial screening and confirmation. For assessments like EtG, supplementary tests, or panels exceeding ten, it's advisable to collect 150mg. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent sample of body hair can be substituted. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a sample goes through four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of the sample into the laboratory's workflow, which entails verifying the integrity of the seal and shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is the first level of testing to flag potential drug abuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result here requires further validation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positive results from Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Upon receiving a presumptive positive indication in Screening, the initial sample provides more material for Extraction. During Extraction, the target substances are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than seen in methodologies such as urine or saliva analysis, reflecting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Verification of any positive initial results is executed using technologies like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples that test presumptive positive undergo cleansing before Confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, stretching from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited per CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards as well as ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing captures substance use over a span of 90 days, unlike urine tests with limited detection duration.
• High resistance to tampering: It's remarkably challenging to alter or fake a hair drug test, heightening result reliability.
• Historical usage insight: Offers a timeline of substance consumption, beyond just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to penetrate hair.
• Expense: Hair testing tends to be pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is actually a misnomer, as the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Trumps Urine Testing in Atlanta, LA: Hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. The superior detection timeframe and reliability provide a more accurate picture of an individual's substance history, making it ideal for long-term analysis. Employers find this method particularly beneficial in maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Atlanta, LA: One of the significant benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to trace drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This feature offers employers a thorough and expansive view of an individual's past substance use, enabling informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Atlanta, LA: Hair follicle testing reduces the chances of sample tampering significantly. With its robust methodology, the process ensures that the results are trustworthy and free from manipulation, providing peace of mind to employers and legal authorities alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Atlanta, LA: Our extensive network of testing centers spans nationwide, offering clients easy and convenient access to hair follicle drug testing services. Local facilities are available for prompt and hassle-free testing, ensuring a seamless experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Atlanta, LA: The procedure for hair follicle testing is straightforward and ensures confidentiality at every step. From ordering to receiving the results, the process prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing any concerns about discretion and ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Atlanta, LA: Our competitive pricing strategy combined with rapid result delivery ensures companies of all scales get exceptional value. The swift turnaround times reinforce our commitment to providing peace of mind through reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Atlanta, LA: Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and swiftness. They accurately identify substance use, providing fast results that have become a benchmark in drug testing. This method not only assures high reliability but also enhances the testing process, offering rapid insights into substance history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Atlanta, LA: Implementing hair follicle testing aids businesses in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. It minimizes potential legal troubles and fortifies workplace safety, creating a stable and productive environment for all employees.

Drug Testing Near Atlanta, LA

Vienna Bend, LA

Point Place, LA

Goldonna, LA

Clarence, LA

Summerfield, LA

Tannehill, LA

St. Maurice, LA

Saint Maurice, LA

Montgomery, LA

Jordan Hill, LA

Joyce, LA

Calvin, LA

Winnfield, LA

Verda, LA

Wheeling, LA

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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