Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Prospect, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the texture of the expanding hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, with minimal chances for tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately as thick as a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, supplementary screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is suggested. It’s advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equal quantity of body hair can be obtained. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps included in the laboratory assessment of a drug test consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of incorporating a sample into a laboratory’s database. This step involves confirming whether the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents a preliminary assessment for drug misuse. While being a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage for the majority of cases, any preliminary positive results require further validation to be recognized in legal settings. Samples presumed positive in Screening mandate subsequent verification.

For any sample that shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is sourced from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other processes (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most challenging to execute.

Validation for any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples that are presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is evaluated under the guidelines of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and confirmation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can recognize drug use for up to three months, whereas urine examinations provide a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to manipulation: It is exceedingly challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thereby yielding more reliable outcomes.
• Provides usage patterns: It can reveal a chronological pattern of drug usage, unlike recent-only detection.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately within 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Typically, hair drug tests incur greater expenses than other forms of drug testing.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Prospect, LA
Hair testing offers various benefits over traditional urine tests. Its superior detection accuracy and long-term reliability make it preferable. This method ensures drug use detection over months, unlike urine testing, which often captures drug use within shorter periods, providing a robust alternative for critical testing needs.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Prospect, LA
Hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive drug use history by detecting traces up to 90 days. This extended detection period allows employers a more thorough assessment of an individual's substance use history, thereby aiding in informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Prospect, LA
Hair testing is significantly more tamper-resistant compared to other methods. It minimizes the risk of sample manipulation, ensuring results are both reliable and indisputable. This adds a layer of security and credibility to the testing process that is hard to match.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Prospect, LA
Our network of nationwide and local testing centers, including those in Prospect, LA, ensures easy access to drug testing services. This vast reach facilitates quick and convenient testing appointments, making the process hassle-free for individuals and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Prospect, LA
The process for hair follicle testing is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, each step respects privacy and encourages ease of use, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and the simplicity of the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Prospect, LA
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Prospect, LA a valuable option for businesses of all sizes. Our services promise economic efficiency and peace of mind, thanks to the balance of cost-effective solutions with rapid and dependable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Prospect, LA
In Prospect, LA, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their speed and precision. They offer unmatched accuracy in detecting substance use, enabling quick and reliable results. This makes them a preferred choice for employers striving for trustworthy and effective drug testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Prospect, LA
Employers in Prospect, LA recognize the value of hair follicle testing in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal liabilities and enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind to businesses striving to uphold safety and compliance standards.

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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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