Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carmel, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. It's straightforward to obtain, challenging to tamper with, and effortless to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (around the size of a standard #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, a recommendation of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. When we mention head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with the initial handling of a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents an initial swift check for drug usage. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation to be acceptable in legal settings. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate secondary verification.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. The Extraction stage involves removing drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as the most complex method to conduct.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The whole laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hindrance in falsifying results: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, rendering the results more credible.
• Supplies historical insights: It can display a timeline of drug consumption over a duration, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result discrepancies: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Carmel, LA, hair follicle testing significantly outperforms traditional urine tests due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability.

• Longer detection windows reveal a more comprehensive drug use history.
• Hair tests are less prone to manipulation than urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Carmel, LA, provides an extended detection window for substance use, spanning up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe allows employers to assess an individual's long-term drug use patterns effectively.

• Employers benefit from a more detailed substance use history.
• A thorough understanding of an employee's behavior is made available.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test method in Carmel, LA, is tamper-resistant, minimizing the likelihood of test manipulation. This approach enhances the credibility of results, giving employers confidence in the screening process.

• Reduces risks associated with sample adulteration.
• Provides consistent and reliable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations in Carmel, LA, and nationwide, ensuring hassle-free access to our services.

• Our widespread centers facilitate quick service without inconvenience.
• Local and national availability enhances accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Carmel, LA, the hair follicle testing process remains simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

• Simplified ordering and testing processes ensure ease of use.
• Privacy is respected throughout, from testing to results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Carmel, LA, boast affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times, providing exceptional value to businesses of all sizes.

• Competitive rate structures appeal to various budget constraints.
• Prompt result delivery maximizes efficiency and satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Carmel, LA, offers unparalleled accuracy, speed, and reliability in detecting substance use. Precision is a hallmark of this method, ensuring that results are detailed and unequivocal.

• Rapid processing and results help identify substance use history efficiently.
• Advanced technology employed provides a higher accuracy level in results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Carmel, LA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, promoting a safer and more secure work environment.

• Minimizes legal risks associated with drug use in the workplace.
• Enhances organizational integrity and safety 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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