Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Merryville, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to around a 3-month detection window for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s balance. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable volume of body hair might be utilized. Reference to head hair denotes scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other categories of hair (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This step covers verifying that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial quick-check for drugs of abuse. While screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples that are tentatively positive in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

If a sample registers as tentative positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is one of the most intricate techniques to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with tentative positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug examinations can track drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter window.
• Hard to deceive: It is very difficult to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Provides history data: It offers a record of drug use over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing triumphs over urine tests in Merryville, LA, offering superior detection and reliability. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests offer a much wider detection window, ensuring comprehensive evaluation.

Employers and courts favor hair tests due to their ability to reveal extended substance use history. This makes them a powerful tool in maintaining drug-free policies and supporting rigorous monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Merryville, LA, boasts an extended detection window, offering a glimpse into drug use over 90 days. This far exceeds the capabilities of traditional urine tests.

Such expansive detection allows employers to gain a complete view of an individual's substance use. It proves invaluable in assessing applicants or employees' history for informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Merryville, LA, hair follicle tests are designed to be tamper-resistant, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. This reliability ensures results remain unquestionable.

The robust nature of hair testing makes it a trustworthy choice for those needing secure testing methods. Its resistance to manipulation is paramount for maintaining integrity in substance use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Merryville, LA, and nationwide, we provide convenient testing locations. Accessing our centers is quick, easy, and hassle-free, ensuring comprehensive testing services.

Our extensive network of centers simplifies the process for individuals and employers to undergo testing promptly. This accessibility stands as a key aspect of our service offerings.

Simple, Confidential Process

Offering a simple and confidential testing process in Merryville, LA, we ensure ease and privacy in ordering, taking, and receiving results. Addressing privacy is a priority for our clients.

The confidential nature of our services builds trust, as clients can engage in the testing process without concerns of data security. This confidence is crucial in testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing in Merryville, LA, is designed to be affordable, matched with a quick turnaround. This combination offers excellent value and assurance for companies of all sizes.

We are dedicated to providing competitively priced services without compromising quality. Fast processing of results allows businesses to make well-informed decisions with ease.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Merryville, LA, hair follicle drug tests provide fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are highly precise in detecting substance use, ensuring trustworthy outcomes.

Hair follicle tests deliver results quickly, helping individuals and organizations make timely decisions based on dependable information. This speed and accuracy in testing make it an ideal choice for needing swift and credible assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Merryville, LA, helps employers ensure compliance and peace of mind by adhering to drug-free policies. This testing reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety.

Employers leverage hair tests to maintain strict drug use policies, promoting a safer environment. These tests offer assurance in handling compliance needs efficiently and reliably.

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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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