Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Extension, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method offers a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window for alcohol and other drugs extending up to roughly three months. The process of obtaining, tamper-resistant nature, and the straightforwardness in transporting hair make it favorable.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) from near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimum quantity for evaluation and confirmation. For exhaustive tests such as EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for precise weighing is proposed. In the absence of head hair, a similar quantity of body hair is permitted for collection. Our reference to head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test outcome at the laboratory involves four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab’s structure. This phase covers the verification of proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and any requisite data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening constitutes a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug consumption in most cases, a positive screening necessitates verification for court admissibility. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to be prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations in contrast to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies available.

Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is supervised in accordance with 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 tests can reveal drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a briefer detection window.
• Resistance to manipulation: A hair drug test is highly resistant to manipulation, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Offers longitudinal data: It enables the observation of drug usage patterns over an interval, beyond just the recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing procedures.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal variability in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used, however, the analysis is executed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Extension, LA surpasses traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. This method provides a longer detection window, giving a comprehensive substance use overview.

Choosing hair testing over urine methods ensures superior results. It detects a wider range and timespan of drug use, providing more robust accuracy and less vulnerability to manipulation.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing stands out in Extension, LA, with its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a broader understanding of an individual's drug use history.

The extended detection window of hair testing in Extension, LA allows employers to view a detailed drug use timeline, increasing the robustness of substance history evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Extension, LA reduces tampering risks, presenting a highly reliable method. Its robustness ensures results remain genuine and free from manipulations.

The integrity of hair testing procedures in Extension, LA safeguards against adulteration, providing unquestionable and authentic outcomes that employers can trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Extension, LA offers the convenience of nationwide testing centers, ensuring hassle-free access to drug testing services. Our expansive network provides quick and seamless testing processes.

With widespread testing facilities in Extension, LA, accessing our services is both simple and efficient, ensuring timely and convenient drug screening for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Extension, LA, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and discreet. From ordering to result reception, every step prioritizes confidentiality and user-friendliness.

Simplicity and privacy are key in Extension, LA's hair testing services, where the entire process—from scheduling to results—ensures a seamless and secure experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Extension, LA offers significant value, paired with rapid turnaround times, delivering cost-effective and timely solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Extension, LA clients benefit from affordable pricing and swift result delivery, reinforcing our commitment to offering budget-friendly, efficient drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Extension, LA, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with fast and precise results. Their meticulous design boasts high accuracy in identifying substance use, with quick processing times that ensure reliability.

Hair testing delivers swift, dependable findings. The precise methodologies used ensure that results are not only timely but uphold the highest standards of detection accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Extension, LA assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks. It strengthens overall safety by ensuring stricter adherence to substance regulations.

Employers in Extension, LA benefit from the peace of mind provided by hair follicle testing, aligning with compliance standards and bolstering workplace security through rigorous testing protocols.

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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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