Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lacassine, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has been acknowledged as a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a comprehensive record of alcohol and other substances by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair. Upon collection near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a three-month detection span for alcohol and other substances. Collection of hair is straightforward, moderately tough to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair may serve as an alternative. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory methodology for processing drug test outcomes involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a specimen into a lab’s system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary straightforward assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening offers an economical approach to negate drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive result mandates confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations than alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation when required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection range.
• Challenging to deceive: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Chronicles past usage: It offers an overview of drug usage patterns over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be detected in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result fluctuations: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lacassine, LA, hair follicle testing proves its superiority over traditional urine tests. The extended detection period and dependable results make hair testing a preferred choice. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can reveal a history of substance use up to 90 days, offering employers a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use habits. This makes hair testing a more effective option in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

The advantage of hair follicle testing in Lacassine, LA lies in its extended detection window. Unlike standard urine tests, hair tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days prior, providing a broader picture of an individual's substance use history. This longer detection span is particularly valuable for employers seeking to maintain strict drug-free policies and ensure workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method in Lacassine, LA. Unlike urine tests, which can be more easily manipulated, hair tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures the results are reliable and trustworthy, providing peace of mind to employers and other stakeholders, knowing that the testing method employed is robust against tampering and delivers undeniable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers in Lacassine, LA, and Nationwide, offer convenient access to hair follicle testing. With numerous locations available, testing is quick and hassle-free, ensuring individuals and employers can easily comply with testing requirements. This nationwide reach allows for a seamless process, allowing you to access our services wherever and whenever you need.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Lacassine, LA is both simple and confidential, prioritizing privacy and ease of use. From ordering the test to receiving results, we ensure a streamlined and discreet process, addressing any privacy concerns effectively. Our aim is to provide a comforting experience by safeguarding personal information while maintaining efficiency and clarity throughout every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Lacassine, LA. With competitive prices and efficient services, we deliver value without compromising quality. Our swift result processing ensures you receive the information you need promptly, making us a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lacassine, LA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their speed and precision. They offer fast, accurate results, making them an excellent choice in detecting substance use. With a high level of accuracy, these tests ensure that results are reliable and trustworthy for various applications, giving stakeholders confidence in the findings.
Unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period, hair testing excels in its ability to deliver results with greater accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lacassine, LA benefit from hair follicle testing as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety by delivering trustworthy results. By opting for the reliability of hair testing, companies gain peace of mind, knowing they are upholding their commitment to a secure and healthy work environment, devoid of substance abuse issues.

Drug Testing Near Lacassine, LA

Prien, LA

Evangeline, LA

Hackberry, LA

Fenton, LA

Goosport, LA

Lake Charles, LA

Mermentau, LA

Grand Lake, LA

Gueydan, LA

Roanoke, LA

Welsh, LA

Creole, LA

Grand Chenier, LA

Lake Arthur, LA

Bell City, 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