Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cade, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture a historical record of alcohol and drugs by trapping biomarkers within their growing fibers. When taken from close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for drugs and alcohol. It is straightforward to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil size), harvested near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. In the absence of scalp hair, an equal volume of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result occurs in four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample's preliminary processing into the lab’s system. This process verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary drug abuse inspection. While Screening is a cost-efficient manner to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive results require confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If the Screening stage yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample for Preparation in Extraction. During this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations than in methods like urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of all positive screenings is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if required. From Accessioning through Confirmation, the entire procedural process is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests offer detection for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably challenging, providing more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It maps a drug usage pattern over a duration, rather than indicating only recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests carry a higher expense than other testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variation can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Over Urine Testing in Cade, LA

Hair follicle tests offer a detailed detection capability that surpasses traditional urine tests. While urine tests capture recent drug usage, hair tests provide a broader window into substance history, offering insights that extend well beyond immediate consumption.

Employers and professionals find greater reliability in hair testing because of its resistance to tampering and precision in revealing long-term use patterns, ensuring a more comprehensive view of an individual's habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Cade, LA

Hair follicle tests stand out due to their ability to provide a clear picture of drug use over a longer span, up to 90 days. This extended detection period is invaluable for employers seeking a thorough understanding of candidate or employee behavior.

While urine tests may highlight recent usage, hair tests reveal a timeline of substance interaction, offering a broader view that aids in making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cade, LA

The robustness of hair follicle tests significantly reduces susceptibility to sample tampering, providing results that are credible and defensible. The integrity of hair samples makes it challenging to alter results, ensuring that the findings are genuine.

This reliability in detection provides a high level of confidence, making hair testing a preferred option for those needing indisputable proof of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Cade, LA

The convenience of our testing centers located throughout the nation ensures that clients can access services swiftly and without stress. Offering local and nationwide options facilitates easy participation in the testing process, maintaining efficiency.

With numerous locations, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that finding a nearby center takes the hassle out of the equation, making testing a seamless experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Cade, LA

At Accredited Drug Testing, we provide a straightforward, confidential approach to drug testing. The process, from ordering to receiving results, prioritizes user privacy and ease, mitigating concerns around sensitivity and discretion.

The fluid, private structure of hair testing minimizes any discomfort, maintaining the dignity of participants while delivering dependable, confidential results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cade, LA

We pride ourselves on competitive pricing strategies paired with expeditious result delivery. This approach offers exceptional value to businesses, ensuring timely access to critical information without breaking their budget.

Balancing affordability with quick processing, our services cater to companies of all sizes, providing peace of mind alongside financial prudence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cade, LA, hair follicle drug tests pride themselves on delivering precision and speed, offering unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance usage. Their method ensures quick results without compromising quality, making them a top choice for those seeking trustworthy outcomes.

The efficiency of hair testing lies in its ability to swiftly process samples and deliver results without unnecessary delays. This quick turnaround does not sacrifice accuracy, guaranteeing precise results with each test.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cade, LA

Employers benefit from hair follicle testing as it assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal exposure and boosting workplace safety. This method supports compliance efforts, giving employers peace and clarity.

Integrating hair testing affirms a company's commitment to maintaining a secure environment, reducing risks associated with workplace substance use.

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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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