Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hico, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers an estimated 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising approximately 200 hairs (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal sample for both screening and definitive testing. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent portion of body hair can be utilized. Reference to head hair pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process is divided into four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab's system. This process confirms that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening offers an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive result from screening requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample display a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drug compounds are extracted from hair at concentrations much lower than in other methods (like urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Any positive findings from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is vetted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection range.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Offers historical insights: It shows a pattern of drug consumption over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in findings: Attributes like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not on the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hico, LA, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window, up to 90 days, provides a broader view of substance use, unlike the limited timeframe of urine tests. Such thorough analysis aids employers in cultivating a drug-free workplace atmosphere.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Hico, LA, employers gain insight into an applicant's or employee's substance history over an extended period, up to 90 days. This comprehensive review offers a significant advantage over shorter-duration tests, ensuring informed and confident hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Hico, LA mitigate the risk of sample tampering, offering reliable and indisputable results. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests are less prone to adulteration tactics, ensuring integrity and trustworthiness in test outcomes. This robust method safeguards employers against deceptive practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide and in Hico, LA, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. Our widespread network ensures that finding a nearby testing center is effortless, providing ease of access for individuals and employers alike, streamlining the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Offering a straightforward and private process in Hico, LA, our hair follicle tests ensure ease of ordering, administering, and receiving results. With confidentiality prioritized, individuals can trust in a seamless experience that respects privacy while delivering accurate outcomes efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Hico, LA, competitive pricing and quick turnaround times make our hair follicle tests an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. Affordable solutions paired with fast results deliver excellent value, allowing companies to maintain budget-conscious practices without compromising on quality and thoroughness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Hico, LA deliver fast and precise outcomes, offering unmatched accuracy in substance detection. Such tests ensure immediate and reliable results, allowing employers to make informed decisions with confidence. This higher level of precision supports maintaining a drug-free workplace, ensuring safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Hico, LA provides employers with assurance, supporting compliance with drug-free workplace mandates. This testing approach mitigates legal risks, enhances overall safety, and promotes a secure workplace environment, encouraging peace of mind for business owners.

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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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