Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Retreat, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol presence. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can supply roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or testing exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is preferable. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a laboratory system. This process involves checking the sample’s seal and shipment for accuracy, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entries excluded by the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug usage in the majority of samples, any positive screening must be confirmed to be legally permissible. Every sample that is tentative positive in Screening necessitates a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is withdrawn from the original sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo a wash pre-confirmation as warranted. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days, significantly longer than urine tests, which have a brief detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Delivers historical insight: It can track a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent detection: It needs about 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually come at a higher cost than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the scalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing in Retreat, LA over traditional urine tests? The superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair tests is unmatched. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis offers an extended detection window and is nearly impossible to tamper with, providing a true reflection of an individual's drug use history. This makes hair testing the preferred choice for those seeking enhanced testing integrity.

Extended Detection Window

In Retreat, LA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing, stretching up to 90 days, offers employers a thorough overview of an individual’s historical substance use. This comprehensive period allows businesses to recognize consistent patterns, facilitating informed hiring decisions. By providing such a detailed substance history, hair testing aids employers in maintaining a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Retreat, LA are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of adulteration, ensuring that the results are both reliable and trustworthy. With hair testing, the risk of sample manipulation is minimized, offering assurance to employers and legal authorities about the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Retreat, LA, enjoy the benefit of convenient nationwide testing centers, along with local access points, making hair follicle drug testing easily accessible. The distribution of our centers ensures that testing is a hassle-free endeavor, providing quick and uncomplicated service to meet your needs. This widespread availability simplifies the testing process for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

At our locations in Retreat, LA, we offer a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing. From ordering the test to collecting the sample and receiving the results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease. This straightforward approach ensures that all users feel secure and informed throughout the testing journey, addressing any privacy concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our affordable pricing and fast turnaround make hair follicle testing a compelling option for companies in Retreat, LA. We offer competitive rates with quick result delivery, providing excellent value. Whether for large corporations or small businesses, our cost-effective services guarantee you get the best return on your investment, without sacrificing quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Retreat, LA, hair follicle drug testing is lauded for its precision and speed. This method is renowned for accurately detecting substance use, ensuring quick results that don't compromise reliability. Efficiently revealing a comprehensive picture of an individual's drug consumption, hair follicle testing stands out as a trailblazer in drug screening technology, delivering swift and dependable findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Retreat, LA can experience compliance and peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing. This reliable method aligns with workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing corporate safety. By choosing hair testing, companies reinforce their commitment to a secure work environment, safeguarding their operations and upholding regulatory standards.

Drug Testing Near Retreat, LA

New Roads, LA

Jackson, LA

Simmesport, LA

Morganza, LA

Black Hawk, LA

St. Francisville, LA

Saint Francisville, LA

Batchelor, LA

Innis, LA

Lettsworth, LA

Bains, LA

Wakefield, LA

Laurel Hill, LA

Plettenberg, LA

Tunica, 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