Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sikes, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective resource for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can provide a prolonged record of alcohol and drug exposure by holding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken close to the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for screening and verification. For EtG, extensions, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is suggested. It is advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be substitutable. When discussing head hair, we specify scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key phases involved in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the first stage of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This involves ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry not supplied by a digital chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary swift check for abusive substances. Although Screening offers a budget-friendly method to exclude most samples' drug use, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation before being court-acceptable. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening mandate further confirmatory action.

If a sample indicates presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug Screening the most challenging technique to implement.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples showing presumptive positivity undergo a wash before confirmation if required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the authoritative guidelines of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Sustained detection timeframe: Hair drug assays can reveal drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more constrained detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug evaluation is quite difficult, ensuring the precision of the findings.
• Delivers historical insights: It offers patterns of drug consumption over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: It takes around 5-7 days before drugs are noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Influences like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Sikes, LA, surpasses urine analysis by offering superior detection accuracy. Traditional urine tests may fail to detect long-term substance usage, while hair tests offer a comprehensive analysis over extended periods.
The reliability of hair testing is evident in its high detection rates, removing the uncertainties often associated with urine tests and ensuring consistent results for more informed decision-making processes.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Sikes, LA benefit from the extended detection window offered by hair follicle testing. Unlike urine tests, which capture recent usage, hair tests reveal substance use history up to 90 days prior.
This comprehensive insight allows employers to better evaluate an individual's long-term drug use, contributing significantly to informed hiring decisions and ongoing employee assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Sikes, LA, the tamper-resistant testing method of hair follicle analysis offers an unbeatable solution for drug screening. The unique characteristics of hair testing significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable.
By guarding against tampering, hair tests ensure that the outcome reflects true and accurate substance use history, elevating the credibility of the screening process overall.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Sikes, LA residents enjoy the convenience of nationwide testing locations, with Accredited Drug Testing facilities easily accessible.
Whether locally or across the nation, our centers ensure that testing is quick, straightforward, and free of hassle. This accessibility simplifies the testing process, making it easier to maintain compliance and fulfill drug testing requirements seamlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Sikes, LA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential.
From initial order to test completion and result reception, each step is straightforward and secure, addressing privacy concerns. This streamlined approach not only assures confidentiality but also ensures that individuals can comfortably and confidently engage with the testing process without undue stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, hair follicle testing in Sikes, LA delivers excellent value.
With competitive pricing structures, it accommodates companies of all sizes, ensuring affordable access to high-quality testing services. Coupled with fast result processing, it relieves potential anxieties, providing peace of mind and allowing businesses to continue operations smoothly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Sikes, LA, hair follicle drug tests are known for providing fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in identifying substance use far outshines traditional methods.
Unlike urine tests, hair testing offers exceptional accuracy, ensuring that results are dependable. Coupled with swift processing times, hair follicle tests become indispensable for those requiring timely and accurate drug screening outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Sikes, LA ensures compliance and peace of mind for employers. By aligning with workplace drug-free policies, hair testing reduces potential legal risks while enhancing safety.
Providing a robust, defensible approach to drug screening, it sets clear standards for employees and supports a healthy, secure, and productive work environment.

Drug Testing Near Sikes, LA

Tullos, LA

Olla, LA

Hodge, LA

Kelly, LA

North Hodge, LA

Standard, LA

East Hodge, LA

Urania, LA

Calvin, LA

Jordan Hill, LA

Winnfield, LA

Weston, LA

Joyce, LA

Tannehill, LA

Dodson, 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