Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Point Blue, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair sample analysis is recognized as a robust means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal information on alcohol and other drugs for up to about three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, not easily tampered with, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hairs, equivalent to a #2 pencil's size, close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing and validation. For higher levels such as EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If hair on the scalp is missing, a similar quantity of body hair might be used. When discussing head hair, it strictly means scalp hair. Body hair relates to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in processing a drug test in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning phase involves bringing a specimen into the lab’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry if an electronic chain of custody system is not used.

Screening entails an initial swift examination for drug use. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most cases, a positive result must be verified for legal proceedings. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening demand a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample be conditionally positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drug chemicals are drawn out from hair at a far lower concentration than with other testing methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug analysis is the most challenging method to execute.

Validation of any positive screening happens via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positivity are cleaned before validation as necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair requirements and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can spot drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection span.
• Challenging to bypass: Cheating in a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thus the outcomes are more reliable.
• Offers a historical usage overview: It presents an insight into drug habits over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to discern recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become observable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than alternate drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Point Blue, LA.

Hair follicle testing provides significant advantages over traditional urine tests. Superior detection accuracy and reliability make it an outstanding option for employers seeking to enforce drug-free workplace policies effectively in Point Blue, LA.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Point Blue, LA.

One of the main benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to identify drug usage over an extended period, up to 90 days. This feature delivers a thorough overview of an employee's or candidate's substance history, enhancing informed decision-making for employers in Point Blue, LA.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Point Blue, LA.

Hair follicle drug tests offer a substantial reduction in the potential for sample tampering. Their unique characteristics make them trustworthy choices for individuals and employers looking for reliable and indisputable outcomes in Point Blue, LA.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Point Blue, LA.

With numerous testing facilities across the nation, including Point Blue, LA, accessing our services is easy. Clients experience hassle-free testing, ensuring swift and straightforward results.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Point Blue, LA.

The hair follicle testing framework in Point Blue, LA is designed to be both straightforward and confidential. Individuals can easily arrange, undergo, and receive results without compromising privacy or convenience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Point Blue, LA.

Our pricing structures in Point Blue, LA are competitive, combined with fast turnaround times. Businesses of all sizes find value and satisfaction, securing quality and timeliness in drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Point Blue, LA.

Hair follicle drug tests in Point Blue, LA offer exceptional speed and precision in detecting substance use. High accuracy is a hallmark of these tests, ensuring that employers and individuals receive reliable results promptly and efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Point Blue, LA.

Employers utilizing hair follicle tests in Point Blue, LA, benefit from enhanced workplace safety and adhere to drug-free policies seamlessly. This approach minimizes legal liabilities, offering peace of mind and compliance assurance.

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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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