Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Era, LA

What it is, How it works

The evaluation of hair has been recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When samples are taken near the scalp, this provides an approximate three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Collection is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and transportation is convenient.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) taken closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and validation. For EtG assessments, additional tests, and/or more than 10-panel tests, a 150mg specimen is advised. It's recommended to gauge the sample’s weight with a jeweler’s scale. If hair from the scalp isn’t available, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair exclusively pertain to scalp hair, while body hair refers to all other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Procedure Summary

The laboratory drug testing process involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into the laboratory’s system. This consists of checking if the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary and quick examination for drug abuse. While it is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening result must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening need a secondary confirmation.

For samples deemed presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. As needed, all samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Positive Aspects of Hair Drug Testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection window.
• Difficulty in tampering: Hair drug tests are challenging to cheat, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Historical insight: They offer a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent intake.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to uncover recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is costlier than other testing techniques.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In New Era, LA, hair follicle testing is increasingly preferred over traditional urine tests. Some advantages include:

• Superior Detection Accuracy: Hair follicle tests detect a broader spectrum of substances.
• Reliability: With less susceptibility to fraudulent activities, these tests offer a clearer picture.

Having a comprehensive overview means better safety and policy compliance.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests provide unmatched insights into a person's drug use. Employers in New Era, LA, benefit from this comprehensive view, ensuring informed hiring decisions. This period allows for detection of substance habits, giving a detailed history of the candidate or employee's lifestyle choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In New Era, LA, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant method. It drastically reduces the chances of sample adulteration, leading to reliable outcomes. Unlike urine tests, where adulteration is possible, hair tests provide results that are unquestionable. Employers can trust these results, enhancing integrity in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is at the heart of our services, with nationwide and local testing locations in New Era, LA. Our centers provide timely and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing. Wherever you're based, you can find a suitable location nearby, making the process smooth and efficient for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple and confidential process in New Era, LA assures users of privacy and ease. From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes the client's comfort and discretion. Concerns about privacy are eliminated, as confidentiality is at the forefront of our service, ensuring a smooth experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in New Era, LA, provides excellent value for businesses. Our competitive prices coupled with quick results deliver peace of mind, enabling companies to proceed without delays. This makes our services ideal for organizations regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing offers fast, accurate, and reliable results in New Era, LA. Its precision and speed make it unmatched in detecting substance use. Hair tests boast high accuracy, providing clear insights into an individual's drug-use history. The advanced technology ensures that results are trustworthy, allowing employers to make informed decisions efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in New Era, LA guarantees compliance and peace of mind for employers. By using these tests, workplaces can enforce drug-free policies effectively, minimizing legal complications and enhancing safety. Adopting this method ensures that organizations adhere to necessary regulations, cultivating a healthier work environment.

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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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