Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sheltons, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of substance use by trapping markers within the hair's fiber as it grows. A sample taken near the scalp can provide a detection window of roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. This method is straightforward to execute, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment with roughly 200 hairs (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp is ideal, delivering 100mg for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or above 10-panel assessments, 150mg is preferred. Using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement is advised. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. The term head hair specifically refers to the scalp, while body hair denotes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The significant phases in the laboratory handling of a substance test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step in integrating a specimen into a laboratory's system. This phase confirms the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performs any supplementary data entry not managed by an electronic custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for various substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug presence for most samples, any positive result necessitates confirmation for legal proceedings. Samples showing possible positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a test sample show a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the specimen for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at much lower amounts compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is notably intricate.

Confirmed positive results are processed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with tentative positive results are cleaned as necessary. The entire sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can trace drug intake for a duration reaching 90 days, unlike urine evaluations with a shorter period.
• Hard to tamper: Tampering with hair drug analysis is notably challenging, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal patterns of substance intake over time, not limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It takes about 5-7 days for substances to become noticeable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing involves greater expense than some other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Sheltons, LA, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine tests by accurately detecting substance use over several months. Unlike urine tests, which can only trace drug use for a short time, hair testing provides a comprehensive overview of an individual's history.

Employers in Sheltons benefit from hair testing as it reduces the chance of false negatives and offers a longer detection window. As a result, it is a preferred choice for maintaining workplace integrity and enforcing drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

One significant advantage of hair testing in Sheltons, LA, is its extended detection window. This method can uncover drug use over the past 90 days, giving employers valuable insights into an applicant's or employee's substance history.

This broader timeframe allows organizations to make more informed decisions about hiring and maintaining staff, offering a clear perspective on long-term habits versus the limited scope offered by urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Sheltons, LA, are designed to be tamper-resistant, significantly minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This credibility ensures that results are trustworthy and undistorted.

As a reliable testing method, hair tests secure an advantage over traditional options, giving assurance to employers and authorities that the outcomes are accurate and reflect genuine usage behaviors.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides an extensive network of centers nationwide and locally in Sheltons, LA, ensuring convenient access to testing services. This vast availability facilitates swift and hassle-free testing, making it easy for individuals and businesses alike.

Whether you need a test nearby or in another city, our widespread locations ensure you're covered, enhancing accessibility and efficiency in scheduling and completing tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Sheltons, LA, our drug testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are straightforward, ensuring user privacy and ease.

Participants appreciate the straightforward steps involved, allowing for quick engagement with the testing protocol without concerns about the confidentiality of their personal information or outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Sheltons, LA, we prioritize offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround on hair follicle tests. Our competitive pricing structure suits businesses of all sizes, providing excellent financial value.

Prompt results enable companies to make timely decisions, enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness, ensuring productivity and growth.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests stand out in Sheltons, LA, due to their precision and speed. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy in identifying substances within hair strands, providing conclusive results rapidly. Their reliability gives employers confidence in the outcomes.

Unlike other testing methods, hair follicle tests allow for quick processing and evaluation, ensuring timely and accurate reporting that meets the needs of organizations seeking reliable testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Sheltons, LA, find peace of mind using hair follicle testing, as it aids in compliance with workplace drug policies. By opting for this method, companies mitigate legal risks and align with safety standards, ensuring a drug-free environment.

This approach bolsters organizational reputation and shields against policy violations, creating a safe and compliant work setting for all employees.

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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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