Hair Follicle Drug Testing - English Turn, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When harvested near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, optimal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The critical stages in processing a laboratory drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system, which includes checking that the sample is appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an introductory rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is utilized from the original sample for Extraction preparation. During this process, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug testing is one of the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Positive results from screening undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation complies with standards from both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter timeframe for detection.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Hair drug tests are highly resistant to tampering, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It provides a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although sometimes termed "hair follicle tests", only the hair strand is scrutinized, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in English Turn, LA, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine tests in numerous ways. One of the key advantages is its ability to detect substance use over a more extended period. Unlike urine tests, which capture recent drug consumption, hair tests provide a more detailed detection window, ensuring greater accuracy and offering reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in English Turn, LA benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, which stretches up to 90 days. This allows for a broader understanding of an individual's substance use patterns, providing invaluable insights into an applicant or employee's history and aiding informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests, available in English Turn, LA, significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering. Given the collection process's observed nature, the likelihood of adulteration is minimized, providing outcomes that are both reliable and difficult to dispute. This method ensures integrity and confidence in the results obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With extensive networks of testing locations nationwide, including English Turn, LA, hair follicle testing services are accessible and convenient. This ensures clients experience minimal hassle, regardless of where they are, offering quick and easy access to essential screening services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In English Turn, LA, the process for undergoing hair follicle testing is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, individuals can expect a seamless experience. Emphasizing privacy and user-friendliness, this method ensures that testing is done with consideration for personal concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

English Turn, LA offers hair follicle testing services at competitive prices, with fast turnaround times. Companies of all sizes can benefit from the value provided, ensuring substance testing does not break the bank while achieving peace of mind thanks to rapid and reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In English Turn, LA, hair follicle testing is synonymous with speed and accuracy. These tests deliver reliable results quickly, a crucial factor for employers and legal professionals. Hair tests boast high precision in detecting a range of substances, making them an ideal choice for those requiring definitive evidence of drug use over a period.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in English Turn, LA, adopting hair follicle testing fosters compliance with rigorous workplace drug policies. This testing method not only assists in upholding a safe working environment but also mitigates legal risks. Employers can rest assured, knowing they have a robust system in place to support their drug-free policies effectively.

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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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