Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greensburg, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective method for detecting substance use. Hair offers a long-term overview of alcohol and drug consumption by encapsulating biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising about 200 strands of hair (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. It's advised to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair may be taken. When referencing head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of sample processing into the laboratory’s system. It includes verifying proper sample sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is economically efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, positive results require confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples showing presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are appropriately washed before confirmation. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under 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 detect drug usage for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally difficult, ensuring more accurate results.
• Offers historical insight: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests in Greensburg, LA by offering more thorough and reliable detection. Hair tests reveal drug use over an extensive period and are less prone to evasion than urine tests. Employers in drug-sensitive industries can thus rely on hair testing for precise analyses of potential employees' drug habits.

Compared to urine tests, hair tests provide superior detection accuracy via greater reliability and efficiency. Hair testing captures long-term substance usage, allowing businesses sound confidence in their employment decisions, rendering urine tests less effective.

Extended Detection Window

In Greensburg, LA, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, significantly longer than traditional methods. Drugs can be identified up to 90 days after use, providing a broader review of the user’s substance history, proving helpful for employers seeking comprehensive insight into an employee’s long-term behavior.

This longevity in detection results from how substances integrate into hair shafts and remain there, unlike urine tests, which only reveal recent usage. Hair follicle testing thus grants employers a detailed view of applicants' and employees’ substance histories, beneficial for informed hiring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Greensburg, LA, hair follicle drug testing presents a highly tamper-resistant solution, minimizing risks of falsely manipulated results. This method significantly reduces opportunities for sample adulteration, assuring businesses that test outcomes are both genuine and irrefutable.

Due to the nature of hair collection, attempts at adulterating a sample are difficult, thus increasing the dependability of results. This rigorous approach supports disciplined enforcement of drug policies, offering trustworthy results that stand up to scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of centralized and nationwide testing centers, including those in Greensburg, LA, brings unparalleled convenience for companies. These centers ensure quick access to hair testing services, offering a streamlined process devoid of unnecessary delays.

Ensuring easy and hassle-free access, testing locations are strategically located to serve clients with efficiency and speed. The support of a broad-reaching infrastructure facilitates swift setup and execution of drug testing according to specific needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair testing process in Greensburg, LA, is simple and confidential, assuring clients of privacy and ease. From ordering to receiving test outcomes, each step is straightforward, alleviating concerns about maintaining discretion and comfort.

Our process respects both privacy and practicality. Data confidentiality is upheld throughout, from initial test request to delivery of outcomes. This approach boosts trust for participants who value transparency and unobtrusive procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Employers in Greensburg, LA benefit from affordable pricing plans and fast turnaround with our hair follicle testing services. Competitive fee structures guarantee value while promising rapid results to meet companies' timelines for efficient decision-making.

Our hair testing services offer cost-effective solutions with expeditious results, making it possible for businesses of all sizes to engage in drug-free policies without strapping their budgets. Fast processing ensures timely acquisition of test outcomes, beneficial for urgent hiring decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Greensburg, LA, hair follicle drug tests are both fast and accurate, providing reliable results. This testing method accurately detects a range of substances quickly and efficiently, reducing wait times for results. Employers can rely on these tests for immediate and dependable assessments when screening potential candidates.

With precision and speed, hair follicle testing offers high accuracy in detecting substance use. This method ensures that the results are trustworthy, making it an ideal choice for employers looking for efficient testing solutions that don’t compromise on accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Greensburg, LA, hair follicle testing assists employers to stay compliant with drug-free workplace policies. By choosing hair testing, companies lower legal risks and enhance on-the-job safety, supporting a healthier working environment and safeguarding their employees.

Employers reap the benefit of peace of mind, knowing that this testing solution significantly contributes to enforcing zero-tolerance policies. With precise testing protocols, businesses protect themselves legally while maintaining a secure atmosphere for all employees.

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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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