Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Morrow, LA

What it is, How it works

Viewing hair analysis as a tool is increasingly common for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair carries a long-term record of substance intake by preserving biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can show a near 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, fairly tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch strand encompassing around 200 hairs (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp supplies 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional procedures, and tests exceeding 10 panels, obtaining 150mg of hair is preferable. Employ a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent portion of body hair can be gathered. It’s important to note that 'head hair' refers solely to scalp hair. Conversely, 'body hair' is inclusive of other hair categories (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The procedural steps in lab processing for drug test outcomes consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the entry point where a sample is integrated into the lab’s framework. It assesses if the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and completes any additional necessary data submission not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening acts as a preliminary examination for drug abuse. While it’s a cost-effective approach to dismiss drug intake in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for judicial acceptability. All samples marked presumptively positive in this phase need further validation.

Should a presumptive positive arise in Screening, more hair from the same specimen is utilized for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair in much smaller quantities than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug tests among the toughest to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive undergoes washing before further confirmation as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Hair drug testing's strengths:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug uptake for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have briefer detection spans.
• Cheating is challenging: Cheating on hair drug tests is notably challenging, therefore yielding more precise outcomes.
• Tracks historical usage: It illustrates a timeline of drug intake over time, not just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent uptake: Detectability of drugs in hair starts around 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other drug assessment methods.
• Result discrepancies: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair development can impact metabolite levels in hair.

Observation: Often labeled as “hair follicle tests,” the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests in Morrow, LA, offer substantial advantages over traditional urine tests. These tests showcase superior detection accuracy, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use history.

Unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window, hair tests provide reliable results over an extended period, making them a preferred choice for employers who prioritize stringent substance use policies.

Extended Detection Window

Morrow, LA benefits from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This prolonged period grants a thorough view into an individual's drug use past, aiding employers in making informed decisions.

This extensive window surpasses shorter methods, like urine tests, providing a clear picture of long-term substance habits, essential for hiring and retention processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests in Morrow, LA stand out for their tamper-resistant attributes. By significantly minimizing the chance of sample manipulation, these tests ensure the authenticity of each result.

The collection process, being highly controlled, leaves little room for adulteration, making it a trustworthy choice for those needing unquestionable accuracy and reliability in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous nationwide testing centers, Morrow, LA residents have easy access to our services. The convenience offered by these centers ensures quick, hassle-free testing for all clients.

Local locations enhance accessibility, allowing individuals and companies to partake in testing services without the burden of extensive travel or lengthy waiting periods.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Morrow, LA, our hair testing process is simple and confidential, meeting privacy and ease-of-use concerns. From ordering to results, every step is designed to protect client information.

Our seamless process guarantees that personal details remain private, offering an efficient system that respects user confidentiality at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our service in Morrow, LA prides itself on affordable pricing that aligns with swift turnaround times. We deliver excellent value, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can benefit from our cost-effective testing.

Our competitive pricing coupled with prompt results assures companies get the best return on investment, without compromising on quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Morrow, LA, hair follicle drug tests are known for fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests provide a level of precision and efficiency in detecting substance use that is unmatched by other methods.

Speed and Accuracy are at the forefront of hair testing benefits. It ensures swift detection of drug presence, providing employers with the critical information necessary to maintain a safe and drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Morrow, LA, hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By using this method, companies reduce legal risks and promote a safer work environment for everyone.

Choosing hair tests for compliance provides peace of mind, as it safeguards against policy violations and supports zero-tolerance programs effectively.

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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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