Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Riverton, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a long-term record of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair's growing fiber. Sampling hair near the scalp can offer a detection span of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. This method is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg, which is ideal for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels beyond 10, 150mg is suggested. It's best to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is insufficient, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair. 'Body hair' denotes all other types (facial, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in the lab consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's framework. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing entries in the electronic custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary examination for drug abuse. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be verified to hold up in legal settings. Samples with preliminary positive results through Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample tests preliminarily positive during Screening, additional strands from the original sample are prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

Verification of positive results from screening uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with preliminary positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can indicate drug use up to three months, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Hard to manipulate: Its accuracy is enhanced due to the difficulty of tampering.
• Records past usage: Offers a timeline of drug usage, beyond current consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot indicate recent drug use: Drugs are detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than other testing approaches.
• Result variation: Factors such as hair color and growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Although termed “hair follicle tests,” the actual test examines the hair itself, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Riverton, LA When comparing hair follicle testing and urine tests, the former excels in detection and reliability. It ensures superior accuracy for long-term substance use assessment.

• Can identify drug use months after exposure.
• Provides an enhanced detection window, surpassing urine tests.
• Almost impossible to falsify due to non-invasive collection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Riverton, LA Hair follicle testing uniquely offers a 90-day detection window, diving deep into one's substance history—vital for employers seeking thorough applicant screening.

• Evaluates substance use far beyond the scope of other tests.
• Gives an in-depth picture of long-term drug habits.
• Invaluable for comprehensive assessments of potential hires.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Riverton, LA Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the chances of cheating, enhancing result dependability. This ensures trust and integrity within the testing process.

• Difficult for individuals to adulterate samples.
• Observed collection makes deceit nearly impossible.
• Reinforces confidence in test outcomes and decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Riverton, LA Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide ensures hassle-free access to services, including a local hub in Riverton.

• Testing centers are readily accessible for swift evaluation.
• Minimizes travel, saving time for individuals and businesses.
• Offering nationwide reach with local convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Riverton, LA The process of ordering, taking, and receiving test results remains straightforward, preserving confidentiality and easing individual concerns.

• Simple steps from initiation to results delivery.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of testing matters.
• User-friendly approach, lessening stress for participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Riverton, LA Our services promise competitive rates paired with quick result processing, catering to businesses of all sizes.

• Offers excellent value for comprehensive testing.
• Fast processing reduces waiting times.
• Affordable yet reliable options for every organization.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Riverton, LA Hair follicle drug testing sets the standard for precision, offering quick-turnaround analysis with confirmed reliability. Such tests efficiently uncover substance use, enabling prompt action.

• Tests are completed rapidly, ensuring timely results.
• Enhanced accuracy minimizes the likelihood of errors.
• Offers an unwavering sense of reliability for both employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Riverton, LA Utilizing hair follicle tests upholds drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and bolstering safety standards.

• Ensures adherence to company regulations and legal mandates.
• Supports a secure and productive work environment.
• Backed with legal credibility and employer satisfaction.

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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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