Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jigger, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It provides an extensive timeline of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair may be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Summary

The core stages in processing a drug test result in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This step includes verifying correct sealing and shipment of the sample, attributing a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid test for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be validated for court acceptance. Any samples showing a presumptive positive result during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If an initial Screening marks a sample as presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for Extraction preparation. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening as one of the most complex methodologies to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating a presumptive positive are subjected to necessary washing before confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug screening:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a reduced detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug screen is very challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can reflect a pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Does not indicate recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings generally incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often colloquially termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Jigger, LA, it's evident that hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are traditional, hair tests provide a longer detection window and are less susceptible to tampering. This makes hair follicle testing an excellent choice for thorough, trustworthy drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Jigger, LA provides a distinct advantage with its extended detection window. Capable of detecting drug use for up to 90 days, it offers employers a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history. This extended period ensures a more complete assessment, crucial for informed hiring and continued employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing substantially minimizes the chance of sample manipulation in Jigger, LA. Its tamper-resistant nature ensures the integrity of the results, delivering confidence and reliability. By reducing sample contamination risks, it stands as a trustworthy option for health professionals and employers alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With accessible testing centers nationwide and local facilities in Jigger, LA, getting a hair follicle drug test is convenient and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous locations, ensuring that testing services are just a step away, providing an easy and streamlined experience for individuals and businesses looking for efficient drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Jigger, LA is straightforward and discreet, prioritizing user confidentiality. From ordering to sample collection and result retrieval, every step is designed to be worry-free and private. This ease of access and assurance in privacy address concerns and offer a comfort level unmatched by other testing methods.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Jigger, LA is not only quick but also competitively priced, making it an affordable choice for companies of all sizes. With a focus on delivering excellent value, our rapid turnaround time ensures clients receive the results they need without delay, maintaining quality at a budget-friendly cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Jigger, LA, the efficiency and precision of hair follicle drug tests ensure fast, accurate results. This method stands out due to its high level of accuracy in detecting substance use, providing confidence in the outcomes. With cutting-edge technology, these tests offer reliable and timely results, allowing for informed decision-making without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Jigger, LA, employers gain peace of mind and compliance with drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. This method aids in adhering to regulatory requirements, reducing legal liabilities and enhancing workplace safety. Utilizing this testing, employers can maintain a safe, productive work environment free from substance-induced dangers.

Drug Testing Near Jigger, LA

Archibald, LA

Lee Bayou, LA

Grayson, LA

Banks Springs, LA

Perryville, LA

Mangham, LA

Harrisonburg, LA

Baskin, LA

Sicily Island, LA

Enterprise, LA

Winnsboro, LA

Liddieville, LA

Wisner, LA

Extension, LA

Chase, 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