Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Old Jefferson, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an influential method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures enduring records of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fiber of the hair strand as it grows. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is easy to obtain, relatively challenging to alter, and simple to transport.

A hair sample approximately 1.5 inches long, comprising about 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) closest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is considered the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. In cases of EtG tests, additional elements, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. It is suggested to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. When we refer to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab process for determining a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample’s initial entry into the lab system. This encompasses confirming the correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finishing any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic custody chain system.

Screening entails an initial speedy survey for substance abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, confirmation is necessary for a positive screen to be court-admissible. Any samples that screen positive presumptively require an additional confirmation.

Should a sample screen presumptively positive, more hair is obtained from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are collected from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to methods such as urine or oral fluid tests, presenting hair drug testing as the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any presumptively positive screening result utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review both under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more restricted detection range.
• Challenging to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical data provision: Offers a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Factors such as hair color and growth rate variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Old Jefferson, LA Hair follicle testing stands superior to urine testing due to its ability to detect substance use over a longer period, providing a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug history. Unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window, hair tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, making them a reliable choice for employers and courts.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Old Jefferson, LA One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its extended detection timeframe, capable of revealing drug use that occurred up to 90 days prior. This advantage provides employers with a thorough understanding of a candidate's or employee's substance use history, essential for maintaining workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Old Jefferson, LA The hair follicle testing procedure is designed to be tamper-resistant, significantly minimizing the chance of sample manipulation. This ensures that the results obtained are both reliable and indisputable, providing peace of mind for organizations that require accuracy and integrity in their drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Old Jefferson, LA With an extensive network of testing centers across the nation, accessing drug testing services has never been more seamless. Our facilities enable prompt and hassle-free testing, ensuring individuals and businesses alike can obtain the services they need effortlessly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Old Jefferson, LA Our drug testing process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring that from ordering to results retrieval, each step is discreet and user-friendly. With an emphasis on privacy, our services cater to individuals' and businesses' needs efficiently and respectfully.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Old Jefferson, LA We offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, coupled with swift turnaround times, delivering outstanding value for companies of all sizes. This combination of affordability and expedience ensures that businesses can maintain their drug-free policies economically and confidently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Old Jefferson, LA Hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their swift and precise results, delivering high accuracy levels in substance use detection. This testing method efficiently identifies drugs, allowing organizations and individuals to make informed decisions with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Old Jefferson, LA By employing hair follicle testing, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, effectively reducing legal risks and improving safety standards. This method of testing serves as a proactive approach to maintaining a secure and productive 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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