Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Nairn, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to 3 months for substances like alcohol and other drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and transportation is simple.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length, containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil), cut closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advisable. Measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If there is no scalp hair available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for handling a drug test result consists of four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step, which integrates the sample into the lab’s system. This step involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and handling any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening acts as a preliminary check for substances. While Screening is a cost-efficient method for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive result requires additional confirmation to hold up in legal proceedings. Any samples appearing positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening an intricate methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that test presumptively positive are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the standards of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to the shorter window of urine tests.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, improving result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals drug use patterns over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Not able to detect recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually more costly compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the level of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing testing methods in Nairn, LA, hair follicle testing stands out against urine tests for several reasons. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability make it the preferred choice. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can detect drug usage over a longer duration, providing a comprehensive overview of substance use history
This makes it particularly beneficial for employers who enforce strict anti-drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Nairn, LA, provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing other methods. This gives employers insight into an individual's long-term substance use habits
Such a lengthy detection window allows for an exhaustive look at an applicant's or employee’s history, supporting more informed decision-making based on drug use trends over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in Nairn, LA, is renowned for its tamper-resistant qualities. This testing significantly reduces the possibility of sample adulteration
Employers and legal authorities benefit from receiving results that are consistent and beyond dispute. Hair testing ensures that any external attempts to alter the sample are ineffective, safeguarding the integrity of the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is paramount in Nairn, LA, with nationwide testing locations available through Accredited Drug Testing. This makes access to testing services quick and straightforward, irrespective of location
Local centers provide hassle-free testing options, ensuring individuals and employers alike can proceed with necessary tests efficiently and without unnecessary delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Nairn, LA, Accredited Drug Testing offers a simple, confidential process for handling drug tests. From order to execution and receiving the results, the process keeps clients' information private and straightforward
This ease of use addresses any privacy concerns, ensuring that clients feel secure and at ease during the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing's services in Nairn, LA, boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Companies of all sizes benefit from competitive rates, providing excellent value
Rapid test results ensure that decisions on employment or legal matters are made promptly, offering businesses peace of mind while keeping costs down.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Nairn, LA, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are highly precise in detecting substance use, providing trustworthy data for both employers and individuals.
Precision ensures that any traces of drugs are correctly identified, making hair follicle testing a reliable option. The process is streamlined, allowing for quick turnaround and trusted outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Nairn, LA, hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind. Using this method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies and diminishes legal risks
It also enhances workplace safety, as employees and job candidates are subject to rigorous testing. This approach supports a healthy, drug-free environment, aligning with zero-tolerance objectives.

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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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