Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Belle Terre, LA

What it is, How it works

The practice of utilizing hair samples has emerged as an effective means for identifying substance use, including drugs and alcohol. Hair can provide an extended timeline of drug and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the hair shaft as it grows. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period of up to three months for substances including alcohol. The simplicity of collecting hair, the difficulty in tampering with it, and the ease of its transportation make it a preferred method.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken from closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, considered the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of specimen is suggested. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. "Head hair" specifically references scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning represents the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This step verifies that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in a legal setting. Any samples testing presumptively positive need further confirmation.

For samples testing positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is obtained from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than is typical in methods like urine or oral fluid testing, highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

The confirmation stage employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS for verifying any positive results. Before confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing. Each step of the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, as well as ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for a duration up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection time.
• Challenging to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, providing results of higher accuracy.
• Historical usage data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, rather than merely indicating recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and differences in individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The superiority of hair follicle testing over urine analysis is evident in Belle Terre, LA. Hair tests offer more reliable detection of drugs, with an extended detection window of up to 90 days compared to urine's shorter span. This longer window provides a thorough history of substance use, benefiting businesses and legal entities alike. Employers with stringent drug-free policies value this reliable method over traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle drug testing in Belle Terre, LA, captures an individual's drug history over a significant period—up to 90 days. This detailed insight into substance use is invaluable for employers, offering a clear view of an applicant's or employee's past activities. The thoroughness of hair tests makes them a preferred choice for long-term assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution in Belle Terre, LA. By significantly minimizing the chances of sample adulteration, they provide trustworthy and indisputable results. This non-intrusive, highly reliable testing method ensures the integrity of the screening process, making it a preferred choice for employers concerned about accurate assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With extensive nationwide testing locations, including Belle Terre, LA, Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience. Our local centers ensure prompt and efficient access to drug testing services, eliminating hassle and facilitating straightforward processes. This accessibility assures clients of reliable service whenever required.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Belle Terre, LA, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, each step prioritizes ease of use and privacy. Clients can trust our streamlined process to handle their needs while safeguarding their personal information, making the experience stress-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable prices and swift turnaround times, our services in Belle Terre, LA, are designed for businesses of all sizes. By providing excellent value without compromising quality, we help companies manage drug testing costs effectively while delivering quick results, reinforcing the commitment to workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For fast and precise drug screening in Belle Terre, LA, hair follicle tests stand out. Known for their speedy, accurate results, these tests efficiently identify various substances. The accuracy of this method surpasses other testing options, ensuring confidence in the outcomes. This precision assists employers in making informed decisions, maintaining safe and compliant workplaces.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing ensures employers in Belle Terre, LA, stay compliant with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities while boosting safety. This testing approach not only fosters a secure work environment but also delivers peace of mind for employers, assuring them that their workforce adheres to set standards.

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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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