Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dubberly, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair's fibers. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal substance use over a roughly 3-month period. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch segment with around 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, an ideal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, extended testing, or more than 10 panels, the recommendation is 150mg. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial sample handling in a lab's system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and dispatch, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handles any data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary check for drug abuse. This economical stage primarily excludes drug usage in most samples, but a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening need further verification.

Should a sample test presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are gleaned from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), illustrating the complexity of hair drug testing.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques confirm any positive screening results. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter window of urine tests.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are notably hard to deceive, enhancing result reliability.
• Provides historical data: It illustrates a time-spanning pattern of drug use, beyond mere recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after around 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other testing approaches.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences may influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Dubberly, LA, hair follicle testing is superior to urine testing for several reasons.
First, it offers enhanced accuracy in detecting drug use over a more extended period. Unlike urine, which only captures recent drug use, hair testing identifies substance consumption up to 90 days prior, providing a comprehensive view. This increased detection window makes hair tests a preferred choice for organizations needing reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair testing shines with its lengthy detection window in Dubberly, LA. Employers benefit as it reveals up to 90 days of substance use, offering a clearer picture of an individual's drug history. This comprehensive insight helps employers make informed decisions regarding applicant or employee suitability, particularly for positions requiring responsibility and trust.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Dubberly, LA, offers an almost foolproof method against sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, where the risk of adulteration is higher, hair tests ensure reliable results. Cut-and-dry procedures make it difficult for individuals to alter samples, thus providing a dependable measure of an individual's substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers available across the nation and specific locations in Dubberly, LA,
Access to testing services is easy. Accredited Drug Testing facilitates quick and hassle-free appointments, ensuring individuals and companies benefit from efficient service wherever they are situated.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Dubberly, LA, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the system is designed for ease of use while prioritizing privacy. Clients can rest assured that their information is handled discreetly, promising a smooth testing experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Dubberly, LA, hair follicle testing is not only accurate but also affordable. Our pricing structure appeals to businesses of all sizes, ensuring value without sacrificing quality. Additionally, the fast turnaround time for results means that companies can quickly proceed with decision-making, optimizing their HR processes efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and quickness of hair follicle tests in Dubberly, LA, offer numerous advantages. Speed is a crucial factor, as these tests provide results swiftly while maintaining top-notch accuracy. In terms of detecting substances, hair follicle screenings consistently deliver reliable outcomes, ensuring no detail is overlooked when assessing substance use among individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Dubberly, LA, gain peace of mind using hair follicle tests to reinforce compliance with drug-free workplace policies. These tests not only reduce legal risks but also contribute to a safer work environment. By using a method that is hard to tamper with and provides extended detection capabilities, companies can confidently maintain adherence to their zero-tolerance commitments.

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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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