Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Shongaloo, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair provides an approximate three-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample containing about 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation tests. For add-ons like EtG and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equal amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of handling a drug test result in the lab involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step, involving the sample's intake into a lab's system. It includes verifying the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional required data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While cost-effective for ruling out drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that are possibly positive during Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample appears positive during Screening, additional hair is sourced from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at more reduced concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleaned before confirmation if required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to bypass: It's exceptionally tough to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Historical insight: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, beyond recent use alone.

Limitations:

• Cannot determine recent usage: Drugs only become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Price: Hair drug evaluations are typically more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair testing offers numerous advantages over urine tests. In Shongaloo, LA, hair samples provide a more reliable method for substance detection.

• Longer detection periods ensure historical substance use isn't missed.
• Difficult to tamper with or substitute, offering genuine results.
• Ideal for zero-tolerance policies, where reliability is key.

Extended Detection Window

Extended detection windows are a significant advantage of hair testing. In Shongaloo, LA, employers benefit from a 90-day drug use history.

• Provides comprehensive views of an individual's substance history.
• Ensures past drug use patterns are captured.
• Offers employers more confidence in decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are tamper-resistant, reducing the risk of compromised samples. In Shongaloo, LA, these tests ensure the most reliable results.

• By using hair, the opportunities for sample adulteration decrease significantly.
• Results are almost impossible to falsify or disrupt.
• Offers unshakeable evidence in drug use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient nationwide testing locations, including in Shongaloo, LA, ease access. Our centers offer prompt and straightforward testing.

• Ensures easy access to testing services across numerous locations.
• Provides hassle-free and swift appointment scheduling.
• Availability in multiple cities means faster, convenient solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results is simple and confidential. In Shongaloo, LA, this enhances comfort for users.

• Privacy is respected through secure ordering systems.
• Straightforward collection methods make the process user-friendly.
• Results are delivered discreetly and securely.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and quick turnaround times offer excellent value. In Shongaloo, LA, our services meet both small and large business needs.

• Competitive pricing ensures cost-effectiveness throughout the process.
• Fast result delivery aids timely decision-making.
• Accessible to companies of all sizes for optimal satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Shongaloo, LA offer precision and speed. These tests boast high accuracy in detecting substance use, standing out in both speed and reliability.

• Quick processing yields results in just a few days.
• High accuracy levels provide confidence to employers and individuals alike.
• Results are thorough and precise, ensuring no substances go undetected.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing promotes compliance and peace of mind for Shongaloo employers. This ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.

• Legal risks are minimized by using a reliable testing method.
• Enhances workplace safety and trust through accurate testing results.
• Employers feel confident with compliance and safety measures.

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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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