Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grand Point, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for the identification of alcohol and drug use. Hair retains drug-related biomarkers in its structure, providing a historical record of substance use that can extend up to 90 days when cut near the scalp. It is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

Extracting a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (resembling a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for preliminary and confirmatory testing. For tests like EtG, enhancements, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair imply scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four crucial phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This phase checks that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any additional data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial cursory examination for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical process to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates further confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate secondary validation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair using a method that results in much lower concentrations than typically found in methods such as urine or oral fluid analysis. This challenging aspect makes hair drug testing a complex procedure.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples presumed positive are pre-cleaned as required. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is supervised in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can uncover drug use up to 90 days back, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, which enhances the accuracy of results.
• Records historical usage: It portrays a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Doesn't detect current use: Drug presence in hair becomes noticeable after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Results variability: Factors like hair pigmentation and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in Grand Point, LA. The detection accuracy is exceptional, providing reliable results that urine tests cannot match.

Urine tests may fail to capture long-term substance use, while hair samples reveal a comprehensive view. This superior detection ability makes hair testing the preferred choice for many professionals.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Grand Point, LA benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle tests. Able to identify drug use for up to 90 days, this method provides a complete picture of substance history.

With an extended window, employers gain insights unavailable from shorter-term tests, ensuring informed hiring decisions and maintaining workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method highly regarded in Grand Point, LA. It drastically reduces the risk of adulteration, ensuring results stand up to scrutiny.

This confidence in reliability is pivotal for employers and legal bodies requiring tests free from manipulation, offering unquestionable evidence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Grand Point, LA, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing centers. Access is quick and hassle-free, allowing individuals to undertake required tests without undue stress.

This ease of access ensures timely and efficient testing processes, catering to local and national needs alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for using hair follicle testing in Grand Point, LA is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the focus is on privacy and simplicity.

Ease of use and confidentiality are paramount, ensuring that clients can trust in the process for reliable and discreet outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Grand Point, LA. This makes our services accessible and cost-effective for businesses of all sizes.

By balancing affordability with quick service delivery, clients receive excellent value and timely results without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Grand Point, LA, those seeking fast and accurate results turn to hair follicle testing. This method is prized for its highly precise detection capabilities, offering unparalleled reliability in identifying substance use.

The efficiency of hair follicle tests ensures that results are delivered swiftly, maintaining a high standard of accuracy. This is crucial for those needing a trustworthy report on substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Grand Point, LA helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies. This compliance is crucial for reducing legal risks and promoting safety.

Employers gain peace of mind with reliable test results, fostering a secure environment and upholding industry 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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