Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Meraux, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and other drugs by ensnaring biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide nearly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) next to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be substituted. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory system. This step includes verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any extra data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid inspection for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient solution to eliminate drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be admissible in court. Samples that appear positive in Screening require another confirmation phase.

If a sample appears positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the challenge of conducting hair drug screening.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug exams can capture drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine exams which have shorter detection spans.
• Hard to deceive: Disguising results in a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insights: It provides insight into a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs need roughly 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result disparities: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the scalp-rooted hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Meraux, LA: Hair follicle testing offers unmatched benefits compared to traditional urine testing. One significant advantage is its ability to detect a broader range of substances over a more extended period. This encompasses drug use history of up to 90 days, providing a more comprehensive substance-use profile.

Unlike urine tests that require a shorter detection window, hair testing provides robust and consistent results, making it a preferred choice among employers, legal authorities, and substance abuse professionals. Its superior detection accuracy is highly valued in ensuring both compliance and peace of mind.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Meraux, LA: Hair follicle testing excels in offering an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This prolonged period allows employers to obtain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, which is crucial for a secure, drug-free workplace.

Through comprehensive analysis, hair tests highlight patterns of use overlooked by standard methods. This deeper insight affords employers the data necessary to make informed employment and policy decisions, reflecting an accurate portrayal of an applicant or employee's long-term substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Meraux, LA: Hair follicle testing is renowned for its tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly diminishes the possibility of sample adulteration, thereby ensuring the reliability and integrity of the results.

The difficulty to tamper with hair samples strengthens the credibility of the testing process, offering unquestionable outcomes to businesses and legal authorities. By relying on hair tests, stakeholders can confidently enforce and uphold zero-tolerance policies against drug use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Meraux, LA: Our testing facilities are extensively available nationwide, ensuring every individual has easy access to testing services quickly and hassle-free. This expansive network emphasizes convenience for businesses and individuals alike.

The seamless accessibility of our testing locations ensures quick service access, aiding in the swift implementation of necessary processes. With locations across the country, Accredited Drug Testing offers valuable ease while maintaining service quality.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Meraux, LA: The procedure for arranging, undergoing, and receiving hair test results at Accredited Drug Testing is straightforward and confidential, effectively addressing any concerns regarding privacy.

The entire process is tailored for user-friendliness, guaranteeing clients a stress-free experience. By maintaining high standards of confidentiality, we prioritize every test-taker's right to privacy and provide peace of mind through clarity and simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Meraux, LA: At Accredited Drug Testing, competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times are central tenets of our service. We strive to deliver both economic value and peace of mind for all organizations, regardless of scale.

Through transparent pricing structures and swift processing times, our hair follicle drug tests offer cost-effective solutions that align with the budgetary constraints of businesses while ensuring quick, reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Meraux, LA: Our hair follicle drug tests provide rapid and precise results, ensuring the highest level of accuracy in detecting substance use. The quick turnaround time and reliability make it a top choice for those responsible for maintaining a drug-free environment in their workplace or community.

The testing procedure is designed to yield fast and dependable outcomes, allowing organizations to make informed decisions swiftly. With Accredited Drug Testing, businesses can expect meticulous accuracy combined with unparalleled speed in delivering results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Meraux, LA: Employing hair follicle testing assists in complying with workplace drug-free policies. The accuracy and extended detection period support legal adherence, diminishing regulatory risks and reinforcing workplace safety.

By adopting this method, employers receive coverage against potential legal repercussions while promoting a healthy and secure work environment. Conducting precise hair tests instills confidence and peace of mind in maintaining drug-free premises.

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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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