Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Vacherie, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method to identify drug and alcohol usage. The hair captures biomarkers within its strands, providing a historical record of substance use over time. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. It's easy to gather, resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from the scalp, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in diameter), results in 100mg of hair which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or analyses involving more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale is recommended for weighing. If scalp hair isn't an option, the equivalent amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair imply scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair refers to all other types like facial and axillary.

Process Outline

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary phase of integrating a sample into the lab's system. This phase encompasses verifying the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, confirmation is required for any positive screen to be legally acceptable. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening need further confirmation.

For samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. In this step, drug extraction from hair occurs at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis a challenging procedure.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Pre-confirmation washing is carried out as required for all presumptive positives. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to standards under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair tests are difficult to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical patterns: Provides usage trends over time, not merely recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variation: Factors such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in South Vacherie, LA

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability.

With its extended detection window and difficulty to tamper with, hair testing provides peace of mind, particularly for employers and legal institutions prioritizing stringent drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in South Vacherie, LA

Hair follicle testing offers a prolonged detection period for drug use, capturing a history of up to 90 days.

This advantage gives employers a comprehensive view of a potential or current employee's substance history, critical for maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in South Vacherie, LA

Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, providing reliable and unquestionable results.

The physical collection and stringent analysis methods make tampering nearly impossible, cementing their credibility in drug-testing protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in South Vacherie, LA

Our comprehensive network of testing centers nationwide ensures quick, easy, and accessible testing services.

For individuals in South Vacherie, this means hassle-free access to drug testing, supported by Accredited Drug Testing's widespread availability.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in South Vacherie, LA

With Accredited Drug Testing, the process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is both straightforward and confidential.

This approach ensures privacy, catering to those who prioritize discreet handling of their substance use testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in South Vacherie, LA

Our competitive pricing structures, coupled with swift turnaround times, offer excellent value for companies of varying sizes.

Accredited Drug Testing enables businesses to gain peace of mind, knowing they have cost-effective solutions without compromising speed or accuracy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in South Vacherie, LA

Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and speed, delivering highly accurate results when it comes to detecting substance use.

This method ensures that individuals can trust the outcomes. Their ability to swiftly provide reliable data makes them a preferable choice for those seeking quick and efficient testing solutions in South Vacherie.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in South Vacherie, LA

Employing hair follicle testing supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal threats.

This assurance not only maintains workplace safety but also offers employers peace of mind, knowing they've adopted a dependable testing method.

Drug Testing Near South Vacherie, LA

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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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