Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Parhams, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a comprehensive account of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, the hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from nearest the scalp provides 100mg, a perfect quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. 'Head hair' specifies only scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' includes every other hair type (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four fundamental steps in lab processing for drug testing: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a lab's framework. This step confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data not entered via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary analysis for drugs of abuse. Though it is a cost-efficient approach for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screening must be verified for legal admissibility. Presumptive positive screenings require further confirmation.

For samples that yield a presumptive positive in Screening, more hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. In this process, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

The Confirmation phase for positive screening results utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive is cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which possess a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, heightening result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It delivers a timeline of drug use, rather than just showing recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variance: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Parhams, LA, hair follicle testing stands out due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests. A critical advantage is its ability to detect drug residues over an extended period, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of long-term substance use. More so, the method is less susceptible to tampering.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing in Parhams, LA can reveal patterns of use over months, which works particularly well for employers and organizations with stringent drug use policies. Hair testing's precision makes it a preferred choice for informed decisions when it comes to staff recruitment and occupational management.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Parhams, LA, there is a markedly extended detection period for substance use, spanning up to 90 days. This allows employers and individuals to glean a thorough overview of one’s substance history, providing a valuable insight that traditional methods may lack.

The long detection window helps facilitate informed decisions, as it uncovers usage patterns that shorter-term tests might miss. Hair testing is a strategic choice for gaining in-depth knowledge about an individual's potential drug use, offering a broader timeframe for detection.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Parhams, LA, hair follicle testing significantly reduces the likelihood of sample tampering. With its collection and examination process under observation, each test delivers reliable results, making it almost impossible to alter or compromise.

This method's built-in tamper resistance provides a trustworthy solution for those requiring assurance of the test's integrity. It's an excellent choice when accuracy and reliability are paramount, providing peace of mind with unquestionable verification of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering unparalleled convenience, Accredited Drug Testing provides an extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including in Parhams, LA. These centers simplify the testing process, ensuring you have access to essential services quickly and without hassle.

With local and nationwide availability, scheduling and conducting tests is straightforward, allowing you to focus on what matters. Our easily accessible locations mean you’re always just a step away from thorough and reliable testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle test process in Parhams, LA is remarkably straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it, and ultimately receiving the results, every stage respects your privacy and ensures ease of use.

This streamlined approach simplifies the testing journey, addressing concerns about confidentiality effectively. The process is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making hair testing in Parhams a favored option for those prioritizing discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Parhams, LA, hair follicle testing is not only efficient but also competitively priced, offering value without compromising quality. Swift turnaround times ensure that results are delivered promptly, providing peace of mind for businesses.

Our pricing structures make comprehensive drug testing accessible to companies of all scales. Fast, affordable, and effective testing solutions are ideal for maintaining a safe, drug-free workplace without strain on resources.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Parhams, LA is noted for exceptional speed and accuracy. Due to the advanced analysis method, it reliably detects substance use, providing fast and precise results. This test is particularly beneficial for those seeking assurance in drug testing, as it ensures accurate detection of a wide range of substances.

Quick turnaround times further bolster the efficacy of hair testing. With streamlined procedures in place, individuals and organizations gain timely results, making the process seamless and efficient. The accuracy of results fosters trust and confidence in hair follicle testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Parhams, LA plays a vital role in aiding employers to maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal challenges. By choosing this method, companies can ensure greater safety within the workplace.
With accurate detection and minimal chances of tampering, it helps establish a secure and reliable work environment. Compliance is easily managed, and risks mitigated when the right tools for drug testing are employed.

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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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