Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kisatchie, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers in the strands of hair as it grows, hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can provide a detection window for alcohol and drugs of up to roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

Securing a 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (matching the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the recommended amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. An emphasis on head hair solely pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The four essential steps in the processing of a drug test outcome in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the sample's preliminary processing into the laboratory's system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive screening results necessitate confirmation to be legally permissible. Any presumptive positive samples from Screening require an additional confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for the Extraction stage. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly diminished concentration compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most complex methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive samples are washed prior to confirmation when needed. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the authority of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: It is quite challenging to counter a hair drug test, leading to more dependable results.
• Offers historical insight: It can present a timeline of drug usage across a span, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect immediate use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Kisatchie, LA, choosing hair follicle testing over urine tests highlights its unmatched benefits. Its superior detection capabilities cover a broader history of substance use, far exceeding the limited scope of urine tests. This reliability ensures more confidence in results.

Employers, legal institutions, and professionals value the comprehensive insights hair testing provides compared to urine tests. This method excels at detecting drug use over extended periods, offering more complete data on an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Kisatchie, LA, provides an extended detection window for drug usage. Unlike urine tests, this method can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, offering employers and testers a detailed view of substance habits over a long period.

This extensive observation period allows employers to make more informed decisions, securing an in-depth history of applicants or employees. The test’s ability to capture drug use over such a timeframe makes it a preferred choice among employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Kisatchie, LA, significantly reduces the chance of sample manipulation. Compared to other methods, it offers greater assurance of authenticity, providing reliable and trustworthy results for those requiring transparent testing.

By minimizing risks of sample adulteration, hair testing ensures the integrity of the testing process, allowing employers, courts, and professionals to trust the validity of results without question. This makes it an invaluable tool for accurate drug detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers across the country, including Kisatchie, LA, accessing drug tests is convenient and effortless. This vast network ensures prompt and straightforward access to testing services, enhancing overall efficiency and user experience.

Our nationwide presence simplifies the testing process, making it more accessible for all, whether an individual or business. This ease of access ensures timely and hassle-free testing experiences for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Kisatchie, LA, our hair follicle testing involves a simple and private process. From ordering to obtaining results, each step ensures confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns and guaranteeing ease of use for participants.

The streamlined process respects individual privacy while ensuring comprehensive testing. This ensures participants can engage with the testing process confidently, knowing that their information is secure throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We provide competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Kisatchie, LA. Our pricing structures are designed to offer an excellent value while ensuring rapid results, catering to businesses of varying sizes and needs.

This approach allows companies to benefit from high-quality testing without the burden of excessive costs. It's about delivering top-notch services efficiently, providing valuable assurance and peace of mind to all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and dependable results. With locations in Kisatchie, LA, these tests boast high precision in detecting substances. Compared to traditional testing methods, they ensure swift results without compromising on accuracy or reliability.

When seeking efficient drug testing options, hair tests emerge as superior by offering rapid and affirmative outcomes. The meticulous detection process assures consistency and reliability, making them the choice for those needing precise results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing ensures comprehensive compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Kisatchie, LA. By aligning with these regulations, companies diminish potential legal risks and foster a safer, accountable work environment.

This testing method provides employers peace of mind by assuring compliance, reducing workplace incidents, and maintaining high safety standards. It's a strategic tool in reinforcing a workplace's commitment to a drug-free policy.

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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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