Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fluker, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a long-standing record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (around the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be taken. When we mention head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other kinds of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a sample into a lab's system. This step involves ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a briefer detection span.
• Challenges in deception: It is exceedingly hard to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals a trend of drug usage over time, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs more costs compared to other drug testing methodologies.
• Result fluctuations: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Fluker, LA offers a distinct advantage over traditional urine tests. With superior detection accuracy and enhanced reliability, hair tests are poised as a preferred choice. Where urine tests are susceptible to external manipulation, hair follicle testing relies on metabolites present in hair, offering a window into the past 90 days. This timespan is crucial for identifying chronic substance use, making it an effective tool for employers.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window provided by hair follicle testing in Fluker, LA is invaluable. While urine tests capture short-term use, hair tests look back over an impressive 90-day period. This longer historical view allows employers to gain insights into an individual's substance habits, ensuring informed decisions. For HR teams, this clarity is a vital asset in building a reliable and responsible workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Fluker, LA provides a testing method that greatly minimizes tampering: hair follicle analysis. Unlike urine tests which can be altered easily, the hair follicle approach ensures tamper-resistant results. The observed collection and meticulous examination of the hair reduce the likelihood of adulteration, offering results you can trust. Employers can feel confident knowing the data is unquestionable and authentic.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accredited Drug Testing, Fluker, LA is part of a network of nationwide testing centers. This makes accessing drug testing services convenient and effortless. From urban hubs to smaller locales, our widespread locations ensure that professional testing is always within reach. This accessibility means minimal disruption while maintaining robust workplace safety standards through reliable testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Fluker, LA at Accredited Drug Testing is both simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined for ease of use, maintaining privacy at every step. Concerns surrounding confidentiality are addressed head-on, ensuring employers and employees alike are reassured of the integrity and discretion of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Fluker, LA stands out with its affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our competitive price structures provide excellent value for businesses, whether large or small. Quick results delivery supports swift decision-making processes, reinforcing the efficacy of our hair follicle testing as a valuable investment in the well-being of the workforce.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fluker, LA, hair follicle drug tests are recognized for their impressive accuracy and speedy results. Renowned for their precision, these tests can detect substance use effectively and swiftly. As substances get embedded in hair, they offer a clear, long-term indication of usage, unaffected by momentary fluctuations. Local testing ensures that results are delivered promptly, keeping employers informed exactly when it's needed most.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Fluker, LA businesses, employing hair follicle testing aids in meeting compliance standards and ensuring a drug-free work environment. Reducing legal risk coupled with promoting safety builds a more secure workplace. The reassurance provided by this testing brings peace of mind, as companies know they're upholding necessary regulations and fostering a culture of safety and accountability.

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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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