Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hosston, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When samples are taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a retrospective detection period of up to a quarter-year for alcohol and drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering with the sample is somewhat challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil in diameter) near the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for both screening and validation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair is suitable. When mentioned, head hair pertains specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses facial, axillary, and other types.

Process Overview

Drug testing encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially logged into the lab's system. This step ensures that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and includes any necessary data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although cost-efficient for ruling out substance use in most samples, a positive result requires further validation for legal admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If positivity is suggested in Screening, extra hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. This involves isolating drugs from the hair at considerably low concentrations, which renders hair drug analysis a more intricate methodology compared to others like urine or oral fluid testing.

Confirmation of any positive findings from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Samples that appear presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug consumption up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests with a briefer detection scope.
• Resistance to tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test is highly challenging, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Pattern recognition: It provides an account of drug use patterns over an extended duration rather than indicating only recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternate testing strategies.
• Result variation: Hair color and personal growth rates can influence metabolite levels within hair, affecting results.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Hosston, LA, the advantages of hair follicle testing are evident when compared to traditional urine tests. Hair testing provides superior detection accuracy and reliability. This method surpasses urine tests by offering a broader view of drug use history and reducing the chances of test evasion or tampering, making it the preferred choice for thorough and trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in Hosston, LA, extends the detection window up to 90 days, far surpassing other test methods. This extended period provides employers with a holistic view of an individual's substance use over time. By offering such a comprehensive history, hair tests become invaluable for assessing long-term drug use patterns, particularly in workplace settings.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle tests in Hosston, LA, significantly minimize the risk of tampering. This method of testing ensures that sample adulteration is virtually impossible, offering dependable and indisputable outcomes. By enhancing the integrity of the process, hair follicle tests remain a trusted choice for those seeking reliable drug testing solutions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Our extensive network of testing centers, including those in Hosston, LA, ensures accessible, quick, and hassle-free testing service availability. Whether local or nationwide, clients can easily locate a convenient testing facility to meet their needs, providing a smooth and efficient drug testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
Our hair follicle testing in Hosston, LA, is designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind. This streamlined process ensures ease of ordering, testing, and receiving results while upholding the highest standards of privacy. We address all concerns about discretion and user-friendliness, ensuring a smooth experience for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
With competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Hosston, LA, offer excellent value. We accommodate companies of varying sizes, ensuring peace of mind with cost-effective, swift, and reliable testing solutions that cater to diverse business needs and budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
Hair follicle drug tests in Hosston, LA, are renowned for their precision and speed. Unlike traditional methods, these tests provide accurate substance use detection, ensuring reliable outcomes. This method is designed to swiftly and accurately identify drug use, offering peace of mind to employers and individuals needing dependable testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
For employers in Hosston, LA, hair follicle testing assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks. By implementing this testing method, organizations can enhance workplace safety and maintain a secure work environment, promoting peace of mind among employers and reinforcing a commitment to a drug-free atmosphere.

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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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