Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ninock, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has emerged as a compelling method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair. When harvested near the scalp, it can yield up to approximately a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg, the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG enhancements and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferrable. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be gathered. When referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, and so on).

Process Overview

The comprehensive procedure in the lab processing of a drug test outcome encompasses Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial acknowledgment of a sample into the lab's system. This phase includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening relates to an early rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be verified to be court-admissible. Any samples with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity at the Screening phase, more hair is retrieved from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are removed from hair at far lower concentrations than in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity in conducting hair drug screening.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned before confirmation if needed. The complete laboratory method from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a reduced detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is remarkably hard, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Supplies historical data: It offers insight into drug use patterns over time, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect current usage: It generally takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become tangible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Result fluctuations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolites concentration in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the assessment targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ninock, LA
When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests, hair testing proves superior with its enhanced accuracy and reliability. Hair tests lead in their ability to detect a more extensive range of substances over a longer timeframe, providing a clearer insight into an individual's drug use patterns. This is a pivotal advantage for employers and legal entities enforcing drug use policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ninock, LA
The ability of hair follicle testing to capture drug use history for up to 90 days makes it a decisive tool for employers. This extensive detection period provides a comprehensive view, unlike other testing methods, offering an in-depth look at an individual’s substance use behavior and ensuring informed decisions in the hiring or monitoring process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ninock, LA
Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of tampering due to their method of sample collection. By ensuring reliable and near-unquestionable results, these tests eliminate the possibility of adulteration, providing employers and legal authorities with confidence in the integrity of the test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Locations in Ninock, LA
With testing centers spread across the nation and locally in Ninock, LA, our services are easily accessible. The convenience of multiple locations ensures that individuals and businesses can quickly access testing with minimal hassle, streamlining the process and supporting efficient drug screening efforts.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ninock, LA
Our hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy throughout ordering, testing, and results retrieval. This assures individuals and businesses of the security and ease of use, addressing concerns related to confidentiality in the drug testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ninock, LA
We offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, ensuring excellent value without compromising quality. Whether for small businesses or large corporations, our cost-effective solutions and quick result delivery provide peace of mind and efficiency in drug testing protocols.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ninock, LA
Hair follicle drug tests in Ninock, LA, stand out for their swift and precise results. Recognized for their high accuracy in detecting substance use, these tests are a reliable option for those seeking dependable drug screening. The method ensures a thorough assessment, achieving trustworthy outcomes that aid in effective decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ninock, LA
Hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks. By adopting this advanced testing method, businesses can enhance safety and ensure peace of mind knowing that they are instituting refined standards for substance use monitoring.

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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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