Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pierre Part, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is widely regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed history of substances by embedding biomarkers along the shaft of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, a hair sample can reveal evidence of drug and alcohol use for up to roughly three months. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, modifying them is somewhat challenging, and they are easy to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (comparable to a standard #2 pencil in thickness) from close to the scalp provides an ideal sample size of about 100mg for initial tests and confirmations. For tests involving EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, it's advised to obtain 150mg of hair. Using a jeweler's scale is recommended for weighing the hair specimen. If scalp hair is missing, the same quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair, while body hair pertains to other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process for laboratory analysis of a drug test involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is entered into a laboratory system. This step involves checking that the sample is securely sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Though an economical method to rule out drug consumption in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is required to support legal proceedings. Hence, any samples yielding a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples indicating a presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the specimen and set for the Extraction process. In this phase, the extraction of drugs from hair occurs at lower concentrations than other methods like urine or oral fluid testing, marking hair drug screening as particularly complex.

To confirm positive Screening results, techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing, if needed, prior to confirmation. The laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) guidelines for Hair testing and meets the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests track drug use for up to ninety days, whereas urine tests have a shorter timeframe.
• Increased reliability: It's challenging to falsify results in a hair drug test, enhancing accuracy.
• Longitudinal data: Hair tests chart drug usage patterns over time, beyond immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection: Drugs become detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher costs: Hair drug tests typically incur greater expenses than other methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," these tests analyze the hair shaft, not the follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Pierre Part, LA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in several ways. Traceability is enhanced in hair testing, identifying patterns of substance use that urine samples might miss. Using hair analysis, detection is unmatched in accuracy, presenting a clearer history of substance use compared to conventional methods. This makes it an invaluable tool for organizations implementing strict policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers a uniquely extended detection window up to 90 days, making it ideal for a comprehensive assessment of potential substance misuse in Pierre Part, LA. This longer detection period allows employers to gain insights into an individual’s substance history, providing a fuller picture of their potential impact on workplace safety and productivity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Pierre Part, LA, hair follicle tests present a tamper-resistant solution, significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike other methods, which can be easily contaminated or substituted, hair tests provide unquestionable results, ensuring integrity and authenticity in drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide testing centers, including local facilities in Pierre Part, LA. Our expansive network ensures easy and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, allowing clients to maintain compliance without added stress. From major cities to smaller communities, our locations deliver accessibility and reliability.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Pierre Part, LA, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is simple and confidential. Our testing services prioritize client privacy throughout each stage, ensuring ease of use while addressing any privacy concerns. The straightforward approach guarantees client confidence during sensitive tasks.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Pierre Part, LA, boast affordable pricing and fast turnaround, emphasizing superior value for companies of every size. Competitive prices paired with efficient processes reassure organizations that they receive high-quality service and timely results, contributing to seamless operations and decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle test offers fast, accurate, and reliable results, setting a high bar in diagnostics. In Pierre Part, LA, this method leads the way in timely identifying drug use, ensuring that substance abuse is effectively monitored. Clients benefit from its immediate and precise detection capabilities, providing peace of mind in their decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By implementing hair follicle testing, Pierre Part, LA, employers achieve greater compliance and peace of mind through adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal exposures while simultaneously promoting a safer work environment, crucial for maintaining trust and security within the corporate structure.

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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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