Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maxie, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is widely regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. Hair samples taken near the scalp can detect drug and alcohol use over roughly three months. This form of sampling is straightforward, poses challenges for tampering, and is convenient for transportation.

Acquiring a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for tests. For tests like EtG, additional panels, or when testing beyond 10 drugs, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If one cannot collect scalp hair, equal quantities of body hair are acceptable. When referencing head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (like facial and axillary).

Procedure Summary

The lab processing of a drug test comprises four crucial steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system, which includes checking that it was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and ensuring any additional data missing from an electronic chain of custody system is completed.

Screening consists of an initial assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to potentially negate drug use in most samples, any positive result must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair, albeit at much lower concentrations than other procedures (such as urine or oral fluid). This low concentration makes hair drug analysis the most challenging method to conduct.

Positive screening confirmations are achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. If needed, presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation. Throughout the process from Accessioning to Confirmation, the lab adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of Hair Drug Analysis:

• Extended detection period: Detects drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests with more limited timeframes.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test proves highly challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Offers historical perspective: Captures patterns of drug use over a duration, not merely recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent drug use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Price: Generally, hair drug analysis incurs higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," this analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For drug testing superiority in Maxie, LA, hair follicle testing prevails over urine testing. With their ability to trace substances over a longer period, hair tests offer unparalleled detection accuracy, making them the preferred choice for employers and courts over traditional urine tests. This method ensures a more dependable evaluation of a person's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

In Maxie, LA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage. Capable of revealing drug use patterns up to 90 days prior, it provides employers a full understanding of an individual's substance use history. This prolonged detection period helps in assessing true lifestyle choices compared to short-term urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Maxie, LA benefits from tamper-resistant testing methods offered by hair follicle tests. Such tests radically minimize the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring results that are both reliable and statistically accurate. The observed collection process further guarantees the legitimacy of collected samples, leaving no room for error or deceit.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our service in Maxie, LA emphasizes convenient nationwide testing locations available for all testers. With easy access to our comprehensive network of centers, undergoing a hair follicle test becomes a hassle-free process, saving time while ensuring reliability and convenience for all involved parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Maxie, LA, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. It involves straightforward steps: ordering, testing, and receiving results, all designed to safeguard personal privacy. This ease of use allows for a stress-free experience, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Maxie, LA boasts affordable pricing and a fast turnaround for hair follicle testing. Our competitive cost structures, coupled with swift result processing, offer exceptional value, catering to companies of various sizes. This ensures peace of mind with prompt and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Maxie, LA are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests can conclusively detect various substances with high precision, providing quick results that are hard to question. This speedy turnaround helps employers make informed decisions promptly, ensuring safety and compliance with no compromises on accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Maxie, LA find compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By adhering to workplace drug-free protocols, businesses minimize legal risks and elevate safety standards. The secure method ensures thorough compliance verification, translating to enhanced trust and operational integrity within organizations.

Drug Testing Near Maxie, LA

Ossun, LA

Cankton, LA

Chataignier, LA

Basile, LA

Hathaway, LA

Duson, LA

Mermentau, LA

Plaquemine, LA

Church Point, LA

Eunice, LA

Evangeline, LA

Estherwood, LA

Rayne, LA

Egan, LA

Iota, 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