Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Edgefield, LA

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair analysis for identifying drug and alcohol consumption has gained recognition as an efficient method. Hair preserves a long-term record by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for a period up to approximately 3 months. Collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

To obtain an optimal sample for screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp should be provided, yielding 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. Verifying weight with a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair could be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair covers other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning constitutes the initial sample processing into a laboratory’s system, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing extra data entry if not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug misuse. It offers a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage suspicions for most samples; however, legal admissibility requires a confirmed positive screen. Presumptively positive Screening samples necessitate secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted at concentrations much lower than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), affirming hair drug screening as a sophisticated methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS approaches. Prior to confirmation, necessary presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process. A comprehensive review of the whole laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, falls under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited window.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test proves difficult, thus enhancing the reliability of results.
• Historical data provision: It can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over a timeframe rather than recent use alone.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days before becoming detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur greater costs compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variation: Hair color and individual growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Edgefield, LA
Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. With the ability to detect drug use over an extended period, hair tests provide more reliable results. Employers favor this method for its enhanced precision and ability to offer a comprehensive assessment of substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window with Hair Testing in Edgefield, LA
One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This comprehensive time frame offers a thorough insight into an individual's substance use history, proving invaluable for employers aiming to maintain a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reliable and Tamper-Resistant: Hair Testing in Edgefield, LA
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering. This method enhances the reliability and credibility of drug testing, ensuring results that are beyond question. Employers can trust the integrity of hair test outcomes to support their drug-free policies effectively.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience of Testing Locations in Edgefield, LA
Accredited Drug Testing ensures ease of access to our services through numerous nationwide centers, including local sites in Edgefield, LA. This setup grants easy and swift access to testing, facilitating a hassle-free process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Testing in Edgefield, LA
Our testing process is crafted to be straightforward and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. This approach caters to concerns of privacy while maintaining an effortless experience, making drug testing accessible and worry-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Testing Solutions in Edgefield, LA
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times provide significant value. By offering cost-effective and efficient results, we ensure companies of all sizes can maintain drug-free policies without financial strain or inconvenience.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable: Hair Follicle Testing in Edgefield, LA
Discover the precision of hair follicle drug tests, renowned for swiftly and accurately detecting substance use. Leveraging advanced technology, they ensure reliable results, providing peace of mind to employers and individuals alike. This method stands out for its exceptional accuracy, making it the preferred choice for effective substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Edgefield, LA
Adopting hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method reduces legal risks and fortifies safety standards, offering employers peace of mind. With reliable testing, businesses can confidently uphold their commitment to a safe working environment.

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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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