Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brusly Landing, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has established a reputation as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair gives a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding markers within the growing hair strands. When hair is taken from near the scalp, it can reveal up to roughly a three-month history of alcohol and drug usage. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is somewhat challenging, and transport is uncomplicated.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, extra panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the specimen. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. If there is no scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. The term "head hair" specifically indicates scalp hair. The term "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the phase where a sample is initially integrated into the laboratory’s database. This procedure ensures the sample is sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not already provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening conducts an initial swift assessment for abusive drug use. Although Screening is a cost-efficient manner to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be considered valid in legal settings. Samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening require further verification.

If a sample yields a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are drawn from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive results following Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, differing from urine tests that have a shorter detection timeline.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are tough to deceive, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical data availability: It offers a usage pattern over time, rather than only recent drug usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detecting drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite often being named "hair follicle tests," the analysis is actually conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Brusly Landing, LA
In comparison to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests provide enhanced detection capabilities. Their reliability and accuracy outshine more conventional methods, offering a significant advantage in identifying long-term substance use patterns.

• Superior detection accuracy
• Long-lasting detection window
• Higher reliability

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Brusly Landing, LA
With an ability to detect drug use over a 90-day span, hair follicle tests give a thorough view of an individual's substance use history. This extensive insight equips employers with a more informed assessment of applicant or employee behavior.

• Detection up to 90 days
• Comprehensive history analysis
• Enhanced assessment capability

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Brusly Landing, LA
The inherent tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing safeguards the integrity of results. This method largely eliminates risks associated with sample adulteration, ensuring result reliability.

• Reduces adulteration risk
• Provides unquestionable results
• Ensures sample integrity

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Brusly Landing, LA
Our extensive network of testing centers ensures easy access to services. Whether nationwide or locally in Brusly Landing, the process is made accessible and hassle-free for all involved.

• Nationwide access
• Easy local availability
• Convenient and hassle-free

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Brusly Landing, LA
Our hair testing process prioritizes privacy and simplicity. From ordering to receiving results, every step ensures confidentiality and ease, addressing any privacy concerns effectively.

• Simple to order
• Confidential handling
• Private and easy process

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Brusly Landing, LA
We provide competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, ensuring value for businesses of any size. Our efficient procedures guarantee both timely results and cost-effectiveness.

• Competitive pricing
• Quick result delivery
• Value for money

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Brusly Landing, LA
Hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and swiftness in delivering results. Its capability to comprehensively detect substance use positions it as a top choice for those seeking dependable analysis. By accurately identifying drug presence, these tests offer peace of mind and reliability in decisions.

• High precision in results
• Quick turnaround time
• Comprehensive detection

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Brusly Landing, LA
Employing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal challenges and bolsters overall workplace safety, ultimately fostering employer confidence.

• Ensures policy compliance
• Minimizes legal risk
• Enhances safety

Drug Testing Near Brusly Landing, LA

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Brusly, 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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