Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Reggio, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. This is because hair captures markers within the strands of hair as they grow, providing a prolonged recount of alcohol and other substances. When taken near the scalp, it offers about a three-month window for detecting alcohol and drug use. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to send.

A length of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (akin to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional panels, and tests above 10 panels, 150mg of hair sample is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be limited, a proportional quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all remaining hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the lab process of analyzing a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step that incorporates a sample into a lab’s system. It entails verifying the sample's sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any manual data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary test for substances of abuse. While cost-effective, it’s imperative for court acceptance that any positive screen is verified. Samples that test presumptive positive in Screening need further confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is sourced from the specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are obtained from hair at a lower density than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which explains the complexity of hair drug screening.

The Confirmation stage for any positive screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that show presumptive positive results are cleaned before being confirmed when required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests present a narrower detection range.
• Challenging to deceive: It’s tough to falsify a hair drug test, rendering outcomes more precise.
• Shows historical use: It offers a pattern of drug consumption over a time span, unlike tests that only show recent use.

Limitations:

• Does not detect recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments tend to be pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variation: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Reggio, LA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests in many ways. Hair tests offer a longer detection period and are more challenging to subvert, providing a superior choice for employers seeking reliable drug screening results. Unlike urine tests, which only detect recent use, hair tests offer an extensive review of a person's drug use history, enhancing detection accuracy.

Furthermore, hair testing ensures no need for awkward procedures associated with urine testing, eliminating much discomfort for the test-taker and providing a dignified alternative. Drug users find it difficult to evade detection, granting employers and regulatory bodies a peace of mind that was previously difficult to achieve.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Reggio, LA, offers an extended detection window, spanning up to 90 days, providing a comprehensive snapshot of an individual's substance use. This period extends far beyond the scope of traditional tests, capturing a more robust picture of drug habits.

For employers in Reggio, this broader detection timeline is a game-changer, enabling them to make informed decisions. Understanding an employee's or candidate's true history of drug use by utilizing hair tests is invaluable.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Reggio, LA, significantly reduce the risk of tampered results, thanks to their resistance to adulteration. This reliability gives test administrators peace of mind, knowing the tests are virtually immune to interference common in traditional testing methods.

In Reggio, LA, opting for hair testing minimizes the chance of deception, establishing them as a reliable choice for entities demanding high integrity in drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers nationwide, including in Reggio, LA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy and convenient access to drug screening services. This setting guarantees a straightforward experience for individuals and organizations alike.

Whether you are based locally in Reggio or operate on a national level, our centers offer accessible locations to suit various needs, making the process seamless and accessible.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Reggio, LA, is designed to be simple and private, addressing any privacy concerns people may have. Initiating a test is straightforward, as is collecting a sample and receiving results, facilitating a stress-free experience.

By maintaining confidentiality and user-friendliness throughout the process, individuals and employers in Reggio can focus on the outcomes, rather than the testing logistics, ensuring peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Reggio, LA, our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing offers excellent value for companies of all sizes, giving smaller businesses access to the same high-quality testing as larger corporations. Our quick turnaround times also ensure that you receive results swiftly, aiding in prompt decision-making.

The combination of affordable rates and fast service makes Accredited Drug Testing a preferred choice, delivering predicted results without compromising on quality or breadth of detection.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Reggio, LA, the speed and precision of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. These tests are lauded for their ability to pinpoint drug use with a high degree of accuracy. When pursuing fast results, hair testing quickly stands out as the preferred method for both employers and legal authorities.

Moreover, hair tests in Reggio deliver results that are not only prompt but also boast impressive levels of reliability, ensuring that substance use is accurately identified without the risk of false negatives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Reggio, LA, who implement hair follicle testing ensure compliance with workplace drug policies, reducing potential legal liabilities. The rigorous methods provide a safer work environment by upholding drug-free policies.

With hair tests in place, companies not only maintain compliance but also cultivate a productive atmosphere, mitigating risks associated with drug use and enhancing overall workplace safety.

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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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