Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Patterson, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by securing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. Samples taken close to the scalp can reveal substance use over an estimated period of three months. Hair sampling is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches from approximately 200 strands, akin to the diameter of a #2 pencil, yields about 100mg, which is the optimal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additions, or analyses exceeding ten panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen weight. If head hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. Regarding head hair, this specifically implies scalp hair. Body hair denotes any other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing for drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of incorporating a sample into the laboratory system. This includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any remaining data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial efficient check for suspicious substances. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate substance use in most samples, results exhibiting positive screens require confirmation to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples flagged as possibly positive in Screening necessitate further verification.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair from the original sample is used for Extraction preparation. This stage involves removing drugs from hair at lower concentrations compared to different methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening more challenging than other methods.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results undergo a washing process when necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, along with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use spanning a period of up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests that have a much narrower time frame.
• Difficulty to cheat: The complexity involved in cheating a hair drug test enhances the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Provides historical data: It offers a comprehensive view of drug usage patterns over time, rather than immediate history.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: There is a delay of approximately 5-7 days before substances become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and differences in individual hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Choose Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Testing in Patterson, LA
When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a more reliable measure of substance use. While urine tests detect drugs used only a few days prior, hair tests span a 90-day window. This broader detection period offers more comprehensive data, allowing employers to make well-informed decisions based on extended-use trends rather than short-term substance consumption.

Extended Detection Window

The powerful capability of hair follicle testing in detecting long-term substance use is a standout feature for employers in Patterson, LA. Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests reveal a much extended detection window, encompassing up to 90 days. This extensive reach offers deeper insights into an individual’s substance habits, providing clarity over their substance history, imperative for thorough assessment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Regarding sample integrity, hair follicle tests in Patterson, LA, are superior due to their resistance to tampering. These tests drastically minimize adulteration risks, offering results that are consistent and trustworthy. The intricate nature of hair testing makes it practically impossible to alter test outcomes, ensuring that stakeholders receive authentic and indefectible findings every time.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

One significant advantage for those residing in Patterson, LA, is the accessibility of our hair follicle testing services through an extensive network of testing centers. With numerous nationwide locations, ensuring swift and hassle-free services has never been easier. Our local presence in Patterson guarantees convenience, supporting clients with efficient access to reliable testing facilities close by.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of undergoing a hair follicle drug test in Patterson, LA, is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is designed with privacy in mind. This ensures that individuals can engage with the process fret-free, knowing their data is protected while benefiting from a system that is easily navigable and user-friendly throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For businesses in Patterson, LA, budgetary concerns are addressed with our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery. Our hair follicle testing services offer excellent value tailored to meet varied budget constraints. The reasonable costs paired with swift turnaround times present a compelling proposition for organizations of every size, promoting financial and operational peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Patterson, LA, the efficiency of hair follicle drug testing lies in its speed and precision. These tests provide highly accurate insights into substance use, offering results that are both fast and dependable. Hair testing methodologies are designed to promptly detect various substances, ensuring minimal wait times for results and maximum accuracy in analysis, which is crucial for timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Employer Compliance and Peace of Mind with Hair Testing in Patterson, LA
Implementing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, limiting legal complications and bolstering safety measures. Employers benefit from the peace of mind that comes with maintaining compliance and mitigating risks associated with workplace substance abuse, making hair testing a strategic choice.

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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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