Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Point, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-standing record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month timeframe for detecting drugs and alcohol. It's straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels above 10, or specific requests, a sample of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is integrated into the laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Cost-effective Screening can eliminate drug usage for most samples, but any positive results must be corroborated for legal admissibility. Samples that indicate presumptive positives in Screening need secondary confirmation.

In cases where Screening suggests a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug tests one of the more challenging methodologies.

Positive results from Screening are substantiated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples showing potential positive results are washed if required before confirmation. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Hair drug tests are hard to evade, resulting in more dependable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can display a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The Superiority of Hair Testing
When compared to traditional urine testing, hair follicle testing in Point, LA, offers unparalleled detection and reliability. Hair tests provide a robust detection window, revealing drug use history comprehensively. With a near-impossible tampering prospect, they surpass the accuracy and reliability of urine tests dramatically.

Extended Detection Window

Comprehensive Substance History
Hair follicle testing in Point, LA, extends its detection capabilities up to 90 days, offering employers deeper insights into the substance use history of employees or applicants. This extended window ensures a more thorough understanding of any past drug use, fostering well-informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reduced Risk of Adulteration
Hair follicle tests performed in Point, LA, offer a level of security against sample tampering. The nature of specimen collection and analysis ensures authenticity, drastically reducing the risk of interference compared to other testing methods, thereby providing trustworthy results consistently.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Locations
Our extensive network of testing centers spans the nation, including Point, LA, offering quick and convenient testing services. Whether locally or nationwide, accessing our facilities is hassle-free, streamlining the drug testing process for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Confidential
In Point, LA, initiating a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and confidential. Our secure processes ensure privacy from order to delivery of results, all while maintaining the highest standards of ease and confidentiality for all parties.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Quick Results
Our hair follicle testing in Point, LA, is both affordable and rapid. We deliver excellent value with competitive pricing structures and fast turnaround times, ensuring companies receive outstanding service without compromising on reliability or cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed in Testing
In Point, LA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their accuracy and rapid results. These tests efficiently pinpoint substance use, providing reliable analytics that help maintain drug-free environments. This method offers dependable precision, eliminating uncertainties often associated with other types of testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Safety Assurance
Employers in Point, LA, who choose hair follicle testing benefit from solid compliance with drug-free policies. This testing method minimizes legal challenges and enhances workplace safety through reliable detection, giving peace of mind and maintaining a high standard of professional integrity.

Drug Testing Near Point, LA

Swartz, LA

Lakeshore, LA

Sicard, LA

Choudrant, LA

Indian Village, LA

Bawcomville, LA

Brownsville-Bawcomville, LA

Fairbanks, LA

Haile, LA

Brownsville, LA

West Monroe, LA

Sterlington, LA

Farmerville, LA

Spencer, LA

Downsville, LA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews