Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Haughton, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use over a period of up to three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extended panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to ascertain the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent sample of body hair can be collected. References to head hair specify scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This involves confirming that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective technique for excluding drug use on the majority of samples, any positive result needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptively positive Screening result require further confirmation.

If Screening yields a presumptively positive result, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed 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 for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection range.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is highly challenging to alter a hair drug test, thus ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a trend of drug usage over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days before they are detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The benefits of hair follicle testing in Haughton, LA, surpass those of traditional urine tests due to superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis offers a broader window of detection, making it easier to identify sustained substance use.
Hair tests provide unparalleled insight, not easily achieved through conventional urine analysis.
For organizations and employers, this means reliable and consistent results, leading to more informed decisions.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle drug assessments stand out due to their tamper-resistant nature, ensuring integrity and credibility in results. This reliability helps Haughton's companies maintain trust in their testing processes.

Extended Detection Window

In Haughton, LA, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing traditional methods. This expanded timeframe provides employers with a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history, allowing more informed decisions.
Hair tests thus offer a complete assessment of past drug use, making them invaluable for responsible hiring.

Employers benefit greatly from the ability to see a longer history of substance use, painting a clearer picture of an applicant's or employee's reliability. This longer window is a critical advantage.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Haughton, LA, are known for their tamper-resistant properties, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. As a result, they provide reliable and undisputable results. The nature of hair testing makes it challenging for individuals to alter or compromise results.
This security assures employers of the test's integrity and ensures that outcomes are trusted and accurate.

By opting for hair testing, organizations benefit from reduced risks of inaccurate results and enhanced confidence in decision-making, making it a superior choice over conventional tests.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and Haughton, LA, testing locations, Accredited Drug Testing offers easy access to services where they are needed. This extensive network ensures quick, hassle-free testing for individuals and businesses.
The strategic placement of facilities guarantees seamless testing, eliminating the barrier of distance and promoting efficiency in drug testing protocols.

Access to numerous local centers streamlines the testing process, ensuring that obtaining a test is as straightforward as possible, enhancing the overall client experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Haughton, LA, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, it's designed to ensure privacy and ease of use for all involved.
Individuals can confidently navigate the testing process, secure in the knowledge that their information is handled discreetly and with respect.

By prioritizing confidentiality and simplicity, hair testing ensures a worry-free experience for individuals and businesses alike, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Haughton, LA, provides affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle tests. This competitive pricing ensures excellent value for companies and individuals, regardless of size.
Fast results and reasonable costs mean businesses can efficiently manage their testing needs without financial strain.

The combination of affordability and speed highlights the commitment to providing valuable service without compromising quality or efficacy, benefitting all users.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests provide fast, precise, and reliable results in Haughton, LA. These tests are lauded for their accuracy in detecting substance use, allowing employers to quickly obtain critical information.
With an efficient process, results are delivered in a timely manner, helping organizations make informed decisions sooner.

Precision in testing is paramount, and hair follicle assessments excel by offering comprehensive data that ensures confidence in the outcomes. Haughton's businesses can rely on this method for the accuracy and reliability they need.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Haughton, LA, enables employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, significantly lowering legal risks. This ensures a safe and secure working environment.
By leveraging precise testing methods, employers gain peace of mind, knowing their workplace policies are upheld effectively and consistently.

Employers achieve tranquility with hair follicle tests, as they foster a safe workspace by verifying compliance and minimizing potential legal issues that come with drug use.

Drug Testing Near Haughton, LA

Minden, LA

Gilark, LA

Bossier City, LA

Brownlee, LA

Elm Grove, LA

Sibley, LA

Caplis, LA

Dixie Inn, LA

Palmetto, LA

Eastwood, LA

Sligo, LA

Red Chute, LA

Doyline, LA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews