Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gassoway, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy record of substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair strands. When sampled near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample spanning 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processes a drug test result through four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially integrated into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipment were handled correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a rapid preliminary inspection for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for excluding drug usage in most samples, any positive result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing a preliminary positive in Screening need a secondary verification.

Should a sample test preliminary positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug testing is regarded as one of the most complex methodologies.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with preliminary positives are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Testing integrity: Hair drug tests are extremely hard to falsify, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage insight: Offers a pattern of substance usage over time, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Immediate use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher costs: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth patterns may impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the scalp's hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Gassoway, LA, hair follicle testing outmatches urine tests in both accuracy and dependability. Hair testing offers benefits like superior detection ability, capturing substance use history effectively. Unlike traditional urine testing, hair follicle examinations provide unparalleled sensitivity and reliability, often revealing long-term drug use without the limitations seen in urine assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Gassoway, LA, find hair follicle testing invaluable for its elongated detection timeframe. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, this method delivers a thorough overview of a prospective or current employee's drug history. This extended window allows organizations to make informed decisions regarding their hiring and employment practices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Gassoway, LA, benefits from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests. This method diminishes the chance of sample tampering, ensuring accuracy and trust in the results. Hair testing's structure makes it highly resistant to any form of manipulation, providing organizations with unquestionable data on substance use without the risk of deceitful practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Gassoway, LA, the convenience of our nationwide and local testing centers offers smooth, efficient access to hair follicle testing services. With widespread availability, individuals can enjoy hassle-free testing, facilitated by strategically located centers nationwide. This accessibility ensures quick and uncomplicated service provision.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a straightforward and confidential testing process in Gassoway, LA. From ordering to obtaining results, the procedure is designed for ease and privacy. Concerns regarding security and simplicity are addressed, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish, aligned with customer expectations for a discreet and trouble-free approach.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Gassoway, LA offers competitive pricing and prompt turnaround for hair follicle testing. Our cost-effective pricing structures combined with swift result delivery provide excellent value, accommodating companies of varying sizes. Enjoy peace of mind knowing you receive top-tier service without compromising on affordability or efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Gassoway, LA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its rapid, reliable, and precise results. This method excels by identifying substance use with impressive accuracy. The advanced techniques employed in hair testing ensure quick and dependable results, making it a preferred choice for those seeking certainty in substance abuse detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Gassoway, LA, gain peace of mind and compliance through hair follicle testing. By aligning with workplace drug-free protocols, companies minimize legal risks and bolster safety. Utilizing this testing approach ensures adherence to policies and enhances the work environment's integrity and security.

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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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