Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Downsville, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, it offers a detection timeframe of up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) from close to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is recommended. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing the specimen. Where scalp hair is not available, equivalent body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, this refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning refers to the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's system. This involves confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of misuse. While it is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation to be admissible in a legal setting. Any samples that appear positive during Screening need additional confirmation.

If a sample appears positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for Extraction preparation. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and concurrently accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, compared to the shorter window for urine tests.
• High resistance to tampering: Altering the results of a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing its accuracy.
• Historic usage pattern: It can illustrate drug use trends over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for recent use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: The test is commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", though it examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Downsville, LA, hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy over urine tests. Unlike urine tests, which have a limited detection window, hair tests offer more reliable insights into long-term substance use. Employers benefit greatly by choosing hair testing for better precision in maintaining workplace safety and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
The ability of hair follicle testing to detect drug use over extended periods, up to 90 days, is a major advantage in Downsville, LA. It provides employers with a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use history, allowing for informed decision-making in recruitment and management processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Downsville, LA benefits from the secure nature of hair follicle tests, which substantially reduces the potential for sample tampering. This ensures that results are not only reliable but also unquestionable, giving employers confidence in the integrity of the testing process and outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including Downsville, LA, offers unparalleled convenience. With easy access to our services, your testing needs can be addressed without hassle, saving both time and effort while guaranteeing professional service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
Conducting a hair follicle test in Downsville, LA ensures a straightforward and private experience. From ordering the test to receiving your results, the process is designed to be hassle-free while addressing privacy concerns head-on, ensuring user comfort and trust.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Downsville, LA, our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times offer excellent value. Whether you're a small business or a larger enterprise, you can benefit from our efficient services, making budgeting and planning hassle-free while maintaining high-quality testing standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Downsville, LA, our hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with precision and speed. These tests provide outstanding accuracy in detecting substances, ensuring you receive reliable results swiftly. Companies seeking dependable testing solutions can trust in the effectiveness of hair analysis to deliver consistent outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Downsville, LA can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. It mitigates legal risks and bolsters safety, providing peace of mind. This testing method supports a secure environment, aligning with corporate standards and regulatory requirements.

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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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