Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bell City, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting alcohol and drug use. It offers a comprehensive history of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can demonstrate a detection span of approximately three months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

Using a sample size of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil width) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For tests such as EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. Note that head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory's records. This step includes ensuring the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial assessment for drug presence. Although Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, confirmation is necessary for any legal proceedings. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of positive results from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation if required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, as opposed to urine testing which offers a shorter detection period.
• High resistance to manipulation: They are exceedingly hard to deceive, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Insight into usage patterns: Hair tests can reveal usage trends over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug analyses are more costly compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite presence in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair Follicle Testing Versus Urine Testing in Bell City, LA
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers exceptional detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can reveal substance use over a more extended period, while urine tests only detect recent usage. As a result, hair examinations are more comprehensive, making them the preferred choice for thorough drug testing.

Extended Detection Window

Long-Term Detection Advantages in Bell City, LA
Hair follicle testing is unparalleled in its ability to detect drug use over up to 90 days. This extended detection window gives employers a broad perspective on an individual's substance history, making it a powerful tool for assessing applicants or employees comprehensively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Resistant Testing in Bell City, LA
Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of tampering and adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable. This robust method ensures that the integrity of the test remains intact, offering confidence to employers and individuals alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Centers Nationwide and Locally in Bell City, LA
With our nationwide network of testing centers, obtaining a hair follicle drug test is seamless and hassle-free. Whether local or traveling, individuals have convenient access to professional testing services, ensuring quick and accessible drug testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Easy and Confidential Process in Bell City, LA
The procedure for ordering, conducting, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is straightforward and confidential. Privacy concerns are thoroughly addressed, allowing individuals to use the service with ease, knowing their information is secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective Pricing and Swift Turnarounds in Bell City, LA
Our competitive pricing structures and rapid result delivery make our testing services an excellent value proposition for businesses of all sizes. By providing efficient and cost-effective solutions, we ensure peace of mind and satisfaction for our clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Quick, Precise, and Dependable Outcomes in Bell City, LA
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and swiftness in detecting substance usage. These tests provide high accuracy, ensuring quick and reliable results. Individuals and organizations can trust these outcomes for making informed decisions, as they offer conclusive evidence of drug or alcohol consumption.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bell City, LA
By choosing hair follicle testing, employers can guarantee compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method minimizes legal risks and enhances workplace safety, offering a secure environment and peace of mind for both employers and employees.

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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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