Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Spokane, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent means for detecting alcohol and drug consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by locking biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When gathered near the scalp, it can offer a detection period for substances lasting approximately three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken as close to the scalp as possible yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is advised. If scalp hair is absent, an equal quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other forms such as facial or axillary.

Process Overview

The main steps in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially processed into a lab’s system. This encompasses verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening offers a budget-friendly means to disregard drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal proceedings. Specimens that are preliminarily positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

An initially positive sample in the Screening phase requires additional hair from the original sample for Extraction. During this phase, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which provide a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Offers historical insight: It shows a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: Substances become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Spokane, LA, the former outshines in various aspects. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, making them a more reliable choice. Employers and legal bodies prefer hair analyses for their enhanced ability to reveal drug usage patterns over time.

Traditional urine tests often fall short in offering the same level of reliability. Hair follicle testing's overview of an individual's substance use history provides a much-needed assurance that urine tests may lack, securing it a preferred spot in drug testing protocols.

Extended Detection Window

In Spokane, LA, hair follicle testing extends its detection window significantly, offering insights into drug consumption over 90 days. This long-term view grants employers a comprehensive look into an individual's substance history, far beyond what other testing methods provide.

The ability to track substance use for up to three months is a major advantage of hair testing. Employers in Spokane, LA, benefit from this extensive detection period, ensuring they have a full understanding of an applicant or employee's drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Spokane, LA drastically reduces the risk of sample tampering, offering reliable outcomes. This method is known for its tamper-resistant nature, ensuring the integrity of the results obtained.

In instances where sample adulteration is a concern, hair follicle tests stand out as they provide unquestionable results. Their resilience against tampering makes them the go-to choice for organizations seeking the most trustworthy testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with nationwide testing centers in Spokane, LA. Accredited Drug Testing offers a seamless, hassle-free experience by providing easy access to testing facilities, ensuring a smooth process from start to finish.

Offering an extensive network of locations, obtaining a hair follicle test locally in Spokane, LA, is both quick and efficient. This accessibility guarantees that testing can fit within anyone's busy schedule with minimal disruption.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Spokane, LA, the process for ordering and completing a hair follicle test is straightforward and confidential. Ensuring privacy, the test procedure is designed to be user-friendly, addressing any concerns regarding ease of use.

The confidentiality of results in Spokane, LA, sets hair follicle testing apart. By prioritizing privacy, individuals can trust in the process, knowing their information remains secure at every stage from ordering to receiving results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Spokane, LA, emphasizes affordable pricing with quick turnaround times. By offering competitive pricing structures, we provide exceptional value, catering to businesses of all sizes.

Fast processing of hair follicle tests ensures employers in Spokane, LA, receive timely results without incurring high costs. This cost-effectiveness, coupled with speed, delivers peace of mind and operational efficiency to companies utilizing these services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Spokane, LA, hair follicle testing delivers fast, accurate, and reliable results. Its precision is unmatched, providing high accuracy in detecting substance use. Hair tests stand out for their ability to promptly and accurately reveal drug consumption, making them an ideal choice for those seeking trustworthy results.

The quick turnaround time of hair follicle testing is a key feature. In Spokane, LA, this test method ensures a speedy process without compromising on the detailed accuracy required to assess substance use effectively and efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Spokane, LA, hair follicle testing brings compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, this method mitigates legal risks while enhancing overall safety.

The use of hair tests ensures that employers maintain a clear stance against substance abuse. This comprehensive approach not only aligns with policy requirements but also promotes a healthy and secure work environment.

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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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