Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Epps, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a developing hair strand, it offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol consumption for up to three months. Hair is easy to take, a challenge to tamper with, and is simple to send.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred sample amount for evaluations and confirmations. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or screens exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It's best to measure the specimen's weight with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent quantity of bodily hair may be utilized. When we mention head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in a laboratory's analysis of drug testing: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing step where a sample is integrated into a lab's framework. This step includes verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional details absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Though efficient in ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive outcome requires validation for legal proceedings. Any samples testing presumptively positive at this stage need secondary confirmation.

If the Screening phase suggests a positive result, additional hair is sourced from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from the hair, where the substance concentration is considerably lower than other methods (e.g. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Any positive screening outcomes undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed as needed before confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process is guided by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair qualification and accredited under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a 90-day window, compared to urine tests having shorter detection periods.
• Difficult to manipulate: Hair drug tests are challenging to tamper with, increasing result accuracy.
• Chronological usage data: This method provides insights into drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Does not identify recent use: Detection in hair takes roughly 5-7 days after drug exposure.
• Expense: Generally, hair screening is more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair pigmentation and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers superior advantages over urine testing in Epps, LA.

• With enhanced detection accuracy, it ensures results you can trust.
• Compared to urine tests, hair tests have a longer detection period, offering a more comprehensive view of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Epps, LA is unparalleled.

• It can trace drug use up to 90 days back, offering a more complete picture of an individual's substance use history.
• This extended period provides a broader insight into patterns of use, benefiting both employers and professionals in their evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Epps, LA greatly reduces the risk of tampering.

• The method is tamper-resistant, ensuring reliable results.
• Given its design, it eliminates opportunities for adulteration, providing assurance of the sample's integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessing drug testing services in Epps, LA is a breeze with our widespread nationwide testing locations.

• We offer convenient local centers ensuring quick and hassle-free testing access.
• Our extensive network guarantees that testing is never out of reach, making the process seamless.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Epps, LA is simple and confidential.

• From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to be user-friendly, addressing privacy concerns.
• This ensures a hassle-free experience for clients, maintaining their confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Epps, LA, Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing with fast turnaround.

• Our competitive pricing structures provide businesses with excellent value.
• Quick response times ensure that companies of all sizes can efficiently manage their testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Epps, LA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision.

• These tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results.
• They excel in identifying substance use with high accuracy ensuring trustworthy outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Epps, LA find compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing.

• Using this method ensures alignment with drug-free workplace policies.
• It mitigates legal risks and boosts workplace safety.

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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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