Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Highlands, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as a significant method for revealing drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance intake by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month window to detect alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and conveniently shipped.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's girth) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, forming an ideal sample for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or panels exceeding 10, a larger sample of 150mg is preferred. It is advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair is a suitable alternative. References to head hair denote exclusively scalp hair, while body hair includes all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of laboratory preparation of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step confirms the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and manages any extra data entry that an electronic chain of custody might not cover.

Screening provides an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although it is an economical way to dismiss drug usage for most samples, the results from a positive screen necessitate confirmation before they can be utilized in court. Presumptive positive samples from Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should the Screening indicate a presumptive positive, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for further Examination. During Extraction, drugs are removed from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid). This peculiarity makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples testing presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory path from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to compromise: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronicles past usage: It reveals a drug use pattern over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair around 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences like hair color and individual hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand and not the follicle itself beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in North Highlands, LA

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by covering a wider detection range. It’s reliable for identifying long-term substance use patterns, which standard urine tests often miss. This heightened accuracy is essential for organizations striving for drug-free environments.

Employers and agencies benefit significantly from hair tests as they reveal a more comprehensive history of drug use, outmatching traditional urine analyses in reliability and detection scope.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in North Highlands, LA

With a detection period reaching up to 90 days, hair follicle tests provide employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance use history. This prolonged window ensures employers can make informed decisions based on consistent drug-free histories.

The extended detection capability distinguishes hair tests, offering a broad time frame that uncovers patterns unseen by shorter-term testing methods like urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in North Highlands, LA

Hair follicle drug tests are designed to thwart tampering attempts, offering superior reliability. The collection process is directly observed, reducing the risk of adulteration or sample swapping, a common issue in other testing methods.

This robust safety against tampering guarantees trustworthy results, making it a preferred option for organizations demanding unassailable integrity in testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in North Highlands, LA

Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide centers offer unparalleled convenience for users. Our widespread locations ensure quick access to testing services, eliminating hassles commonly faced with limited service providers.

The availability of local testing facilities in North Highlands guarantees that individuals and businesses receive prompt and efficient testing services without undue delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in North Highlands, LA

The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and protects user privacy. Ordering, sampling, and receiving results are designed to be user-friendly, addressing concerns about confidentiality and ease of use.

Our emphasis on simplicity and discretion allows clients to complete testing procedures stress-free, without worrying about compromising sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in North Highlands, LA

Our hair follicle testing services are priced competitively, providing excellent value without sacrificing quality. Fast turnaround times ensure results are delivered promptly, enhancing decision-making efficiency for companies.

With cost-effective solutions and speedy services, we cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring affordability without compromising the robustness of our test results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in North Highlands, LA

Hair follicle drug tests offer rapid and accurate assessments. Their precision in identifying substance use ensures reliability, as even low levels of drug traces can be detected. This makes them an ideal choice for organizations looking for definitive and prompt results.

Accuracy and speed define hair tests, minimizing errors commonly associated with other testing methods. Obtaining results swiftly enhances decision-making processes for employers in North Highlands.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in North Highlands, LA

Utilizing hair follicle testing aids businesses in adhering to drug-free workplace policies effectively. This testing method minimizes legal risks and augments workplace safety by ensuring a substance-free environment.

Employers can rely on hair tests for compliance assurance, offering enhanced peace of mind through reliable and detailed drug use assessments.

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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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