Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gibson, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is widely regarded as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug usage. Hair records a prolonged history of substance use by encasing biomarkers within the structure of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, it offers around a 90-day detection timeframe for alcohol and substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (sized similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional testing, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We advocate for weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean only scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory evaluation for a drug test result is comprised of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s framework. This process includes checking that the sample is properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional required data that isn't captured by an electronic custody tracking system.

Screening serves as an initial simple test for identifying substance abuse. While Screening effectively rules out drug use for most samples, confirmation is necessary for legal admissibility in court. Samples showing a preliminary positive result require further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a preliminary positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair screening is considered the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any preliminary positive from Screening is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing preliminary positive outcomes undergo washing before confirmation when required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in compliance with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair tests are tough to cheat, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Tracks consumption over time: It shows usage patterns over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to be traceable in hair.
• Cost: Hair analysis is generally pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual testing analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Gibson, LA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests. Hair tests offer a broader detection window and improved accuracy, essential for comprehensive assessments.
Superiority Over Urine Testing

Employers and authorities find hair tests more reliable due to their greater accuracy and lower susceptibility to tampering, ensuring a trustworthy analysis of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

In Gibson, LA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, giving employers invaluable insights into an individual's substance history.
Long-Term Detection

This test reveals long-term substance use patterns, providing a detailed overview rather than limited, short-term data, enhancing informed decision-making for employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are an effective choice in Gibson, LA for reducing sample tampering risks. This method ensures the integrity of results, offering peace of mind.
Secure and Reliable

Using hair testing greatly diminishes the chances of sample adulteration, guaranteeing that the results are genuine and trustworthy, a significant advantage for employers and legal applications.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Gibson, LA benefits from the extensive network of hair testing centers by Accredited Drug Testing, ensuring easy access. Whether local or across the nation, we make testing hassle-free.
Convenience at Its Best

Testing centers are strategically located to provide quick, efficient service, allowing individuals and companies to access testing without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Gibson, LA, our streamlined hair testing procedure simplifies the entire process. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize confidentiality and ease.
User-Friendly Service

Clients can enjoy a straightforward, secure testing journey, catered to protect privacy while ensuring the entire process remains user-friendly and efficient.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Gibson, LA offers competitive pricing with fast results. Our pricing structure ensures excellent value for businesses, reducing time and financial burdens.
Value and Speed

We provide quick turnaround without compromising on quality, making it an economical choice for companies seeking reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Experience swift, precise, and dependable results with hair follicle drug testing in Gibson, LA. This method delivers unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring you have the most reliable data at your disposal.
Accuracy and Precision

Hair follicle testing stands out for its meticulous precision and rapid results, making it an essential tool for those prioritizing accurate substance detection. Embrace this advanced testing option to stay informed.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Gibson, LA, implementing hair follicle testing fosters compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal liabilities.
Employer Benefits

By utilizing hair tests, businesses assure a safe working environment, minimizing risks and upholding a responsible corporate image aligned with regulatory standards.

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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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