Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Intracoastal City, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for identifying both drug and alcohol use. The hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, the hair can reveal a detection period of around three months for alcohol and drugs. The sample collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively hard, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (approximating the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In instances of unavailable scalp hair, an equal volume of body hair may be collected. Notably, 'head hair' refers strictly to 'scalp hair' while 'body hair' encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The primary steps in laboratory drug test processing involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the sample's preliminary incorporation into the lab's system. Essential actions include confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, allocating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and supplementing any missing data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

In Screening, an initial rapid probe for abusive drugs is conducted. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage on most samples, confirmatory testing is needed for any sample initially testing positive to ensure it is legally admissible. Presumptively positive Screening samples mandate subsequent confirmation.

Upon identifying a presumptive positive result during the Screening process, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to administer.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods confirm any positive Screening findings. All samples provisionally testing positive undergo necessary washing ahead of confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation aligns with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug assessments can trace drug usage back to 90 days, unlike urine assessments with shorter detection periods.
• Reduced opportunity for cheating: Cheating on a hair drug test is substantially challenging, yielding more reliable results.
• Records historical usage: These tests reveal a consumption pattern over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Does not detect recent usage: Drugs manifest in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Individual differences in hair growth and color can affect drug metabolite concentration levels in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests,” it is the hair strand being examined, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Intracoastal City, LA, sees numerous advantages of hair follicle over urine tests. Hair analyses offer superior accuracy and reliability, capturing a wider drug use timeline than urine. This provides employers with comprehensive substance insights for more informed decisions.

The detection capabilities of hair tests surpass traditional urine tests, recognizing drug use over 90 days, compared to the short-term detection of urine tests. This makes hair testing a preferred choice for those seeking extensive information.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Intracoastal City, LA, excels in identifying drug use over an extended period. It captures substance history over 90 days, allowing employers to access a detailed view of an individual's habits, critical for making informed employment decisions.

This longer detection window is a key advantage of hair testing, providing a thorough understanding of drug use patterns, unlike shorter-range alternatives, it contributes to a more secure workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Intracoastal City, LA, hair follicle testing is noted for its tamper-resistant nature. This methodology significantly restricts the opportunity for sample adulteration, presenting specimen integrity incomparable to other forms of drug testing.

The inherent structure of the hair sample minimizes the possibility of interference, delivering trustworthy results. Institutions can rely on the integrity of the findings, reducing the risk of erroneous readings due to tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures that Intracoastal City, LA, benefits from nationwide and local testing facility access. Our extensive network of centers offers convenient options for individuals and employers needing prompt and reliable drug testing services.

This expansive coverage facilitates ease of access, reducing logistical challenges, and ensuring timely service delivery for all clients, thereby enhancing the overall testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Intracoastal City, LA, the hair follicle testing process is engineered for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, each step is designed to be user-friendly and discreet, preserving client privacy at every level.

This commitment to a straightforward process allows clients to engage with the testing procedure without concerns, ensuring seamless execution and safeguarding personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

At Intracoastal City, LA, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing alongside swift processing times. This blend of economic value and rapid turnaround caters to businesses of varied sizes, ensuring high-quality service is accessible and beneficial.

The affordability of the tests does not detract from the service's excellence, making it a cost-effective solution for comprehensive drug testing needs within any organizational setting.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Intracoastal City, LA, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering timely and reliable outcomes. Precision and accuracy are definitive attributes of these tests, as they efficiently determine substance use patterns with unparalleled exactness, ensuring decisions can be made confidently.

With a swift collection process followed by rapid analysis, hair follicle testing minimizes delays, offering quick insights into substance use. This speed and precision make it a valuable tool for employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Intracoastal City, LA, gain considerable peace of mind with the compliance benefits of hair follicle testing. This method underpins adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal liabilities associated with substance infractions.

By implementing hair testing, companies bolster workplace safety, demonstrating a commitment to a secure and productive environment, fostering increased staff morale and community trust.

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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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