Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Enterprise, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and other drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft. When samples are taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A hair specimen of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, extras, or panels exceeding ten, a sample of 150mg is advised. It’s best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a corresponding quantity of body hair can be used. In the context of head hair, only scalp hair is considered. Body hair includes all other types of hair (such as facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the laboratory examination of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the stage where a sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This step encompasses verifying that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input that wasn’t included in an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase incorporates a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Any samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If Screening results are presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a considerably lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It is challenging to falsify a hair drug test, making the results more reliable.
• Offers historical perspective: It can showcase a trend of drug usage over time, rather than only recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after usage.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair testing to urine testing in Enterprise, LA, hair follicle tests provide distinct advantages. They offer a superior detection accuracy and are more reliable in identifying past substance use. Unlike urine tests that detect recent use, hair tests present a much broader detection window, making them useful for gaining a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of up to 90 days for hair follicle testing in Enterprise, LA, is one of its critical advantages. Whereas other methods like urine tests only cover short-term substance use, hair testing gives employers a detailed insight into an individual's drug history. This comprehensive overview helps in making better-informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Enterprise, LA, is renowned for its resistance to tampering, which greatly diminishes the chances of sample adulteration. The method provides reliable and unquestionable results that cannot easily be manipulated, offering peace of mind and certainty to users who seek integrity in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a network of convenient testing centers spanning nationwide, including locations in Enterprise, LA, we ensure swift, easy access to drug testing services. This comprehensive presence simplifies the testing process, offering both local and national convenience without sacrificing speed or accessibility for individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Enterprise, LA, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. The streamlined procedure from ordering to receiving results assures privacy and ease, addressing any concerns regarding security and personal data protection. Rest assured; our straightforward process becomes hassle-free while maintaining meticulous confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Enterprise, LA, we combine competitive pricing with rapid turnaround times for hair follicle testing, aligning affordability with quality. This approach not only guarantees excellent value for companies, regardless of size, but also enhances their ability to maintain drug-free environments without imposing financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Enterprise, LA, hair follicle testing stands out for its swiftness and precision. This testing method offers an unmatched level of accuracy, pinpointing substance use with higher reliability than other methods. The rapid result turnaround further ensures that businesses and individuals can make informed decisions without extended waiting periods, thus enhancing its appeal and effectiveness.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Enterprise, LA, ensures strict compliance with drug-free workplace policies, notably reducing potential legal liabilities. For employers, this translates to a safer working environment and overall peace of mind, as they can confidently enforce zero-tolerance drug use policies while maintaining compliance with relevant regulations.

Drug Testing Near Enterprise, LA

Kelly, LA

Dunbarton, LA

Perryville, LA

Banks Springs, LA

Chase, LA

Grayson, LA

Catahoula, LA

Liddieville, LA

Wisner, LA

Manifest, LA

Sicily Island, LA

Wallace Ridge, LA

Jigger, LA

Harrisonburg, LA

Extension, LA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews