Hair Follicle Drug Testing - River Ridge, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair strand analysis has gained recognition as a significant method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. It captures a comprehensive timeline of these substances by embedding markers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can potentially reveal a detection span of up to roughly three months for both alcohol and other substances. The process of hair collection is straightforward, slightly resistant to tampering, and conducive to shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (comparable in diameter to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample amount for testing and verification. For EtG tests, additional screening, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of the sample into the laboratory’s system, ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry tasks that an electronic chain of custody system might omit.

Screening provides a preliminary evaluation for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage across most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated to be legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample registers as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process prior to confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection timeframe.
• High resistance to falsification: The difficulty in tampering with a hair drug test enhances the reliability of the results.
• Chronological usage insight: This method can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over an extended period, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Cost implications: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result disparities: Variances in hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites detected in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as “hair follicle tests,” the procedure targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine assays in River Ridge, LA are significant. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy, making them more dependable for long-term assessment of substance use.
Detailed analysis ensures that even low concentrations of substances are identified, offering a clearer view of an individual's drug usage over time.

Extended Detection Window

In River Ridge, LA, hair follicle testing is celebrated for its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, it uncovers drug use over a span of up to 90 days.
Comprehensive insights into a person’s drug and substance history are revealed, making it invaluable for employers interested in maintaining a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests stand out in River Ridge, LA due to their tamper-resistant nature. Such tests notably diminish the chances of sample alteration.
Employers and law enforcement entities rely on these tests, confident in the security and certainty of the results provided, knowing they are nearly impossible to cheat.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key, and River Ridge, LA offers easy access to nationwide and local testing centers. Quick and hassle-free access means less time missed from work.
Testing centers are designed to provide quick service without compromising on reliability, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.

Simple, Confidential Process

In River Ridge, LA, the hair follicle testing process is made simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, each step is discreet.
Individuals can have peace of mind knowing their privacy is protected at all stages, promoting ease of use and trust in the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For businesses in River Ridge, LA, hair follicle testing comes with affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. Competitive cost structures ensure value, while prompt results meet the demands of business schedules.
Employers can confidently implement testing without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and swiftness in River Ridge, LA. Accurate detection is assured with hair testing, providing comprehensive analysis of substance usage.
Compared to other methods, hair follicle testing ensures rapid and reliable results, making it the preferred choice for many employers and organizations seeking efficiency and accuracy in drug screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in River Ridge, LA benefit from hair follicle testing as it aligns with compliance and ensures workplace safety. The reliable results help enforce drug-free policies, reducing potential legal risks.
Peace of mind is delivered through assurance that all employees are compliant with regulatory standards.

Drug Testing Near River Ridge, LA

New Orleans, LA

Destrehan, LA

Marrero, LA

Lone Star, LA

Westwego, LA

St. Rose, LA

Saint Rose, LA

Ama, LA

Metairie, LA

Bridge City, LA

Waggaman, LA

Kenner, LA

Harahan, LA

Elmwood, 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