Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Evelyn, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can preserve a detailed record of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers in the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, a hair sample can show a history of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drug usage. Hair is straightforward to acquire, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) near the scalp will yield 100 mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests with more than 10 panels, a sample of 150 mg is advisable. It is suggested to measure the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. The term head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key phases in processing a lab drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial sample integration into a lab’s system. This procedure confirms that the sample has been correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any additional data entry that the electronic chain of custody system does not cover.

Screening involves an initial basic analysis for illicit drugs. Although Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use for most samples, any positive screen must be solidly confirmed to be legally defensible. Samples that presumptively test positive in Screening need further verification.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and set aside for Extraction. During this step, drugs are obtained from hair at much lower concentrations than seen in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive Screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation, if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is ensured under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a brief detection window.
• Difficult to cheat: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely hard, leading to more accurate results.
• Shows historical usage: Provides a record of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting new usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result disparities: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair shaft, not the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Evelyn, LA

In Evelyn, LA, hair follicle testing offers substantial advantages over traditional urine tests. One of the key benefits is its superior detection accuracy. Hair tests are less prone to false results, showcasing unmatched reliability. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair testing provides a comprehensive view, making it a reliable choice for long-term substance detection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Evelyn, LA

Hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window of up to 90 days in Evelyn, LA, offering a prolonged view of individual substance history. This feature is profoundly beneficial for employers, as it provides a comprehensive assessment of drug use patterns over an extended period. Unlike other tests, this ensures a more detailed insight into applicants or employees' past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Evelyn, LA

The integrity of hair follicle tests in Evelyn, LA, significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. The testing process involves stringent measures that make it practically impossible to alter results. This accountability provides organizations and individuals confidence in their testing outcomes, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Evelyn, LA

With testing centers across the nation, including Evelyn, LA, access to hair follicle testing is quick and hassle-free. This network ensures that individuals and employers can effortlessly locate facilities and benefit from the convenience of nationwide and local testing options, simplifying the entire process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Evelyn, LA

The hair follicle testing process in Evelyn, LA, is simple and confidential, addressing client concerns of privacy and ease of use. Ordering, taking, and receiving results can be done with minimal effort, providing individuals and organizations assurance in the security and user-friendliness of the entire procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Evelyn, LA

Hair follicle testing in Evelyn, LA offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. The affordability and efficiency of these tests ensure companies receive excellent service without sacrificing speed or quality, offering both peace of mind and cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Evelyn, LA

Hair follicle drug tests in Evelyn, LA provide results with unmatched accuracy and speed. With precise methodologies, these tests can quickly identify substance use, ensuring that individuals and organizations receive reliable information promptly. The efficiency of hair testing sets it apart, providing fast, trustworthy insights into substance use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Evelyn, LA

Ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies is paramount for employers in Evelyn, LA. Hair follicle testing offers peace of mind by reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. Employers benefit from the reliable outcomes of hair tests, ensuring adherence to policies, and fostering a safer, more compliant work 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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