Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Standard, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is acknowledged as a robust method for detecting substance use of drugs and alcohol. Hair can offer a prolonged history of alcohol and drug consumption by encapsulating biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a roughly 3-month detection frame for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to gather, relatively tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample with approximately 200 strands (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred amount for screening and validation. For EtG, add-on tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the hair sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not an option, a proportional quantity of body hair may be used. In discussing head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, and others).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing for a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the sample's preliminary handling into a lab’s system, including confirming that it was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any further data documentation not offered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial swift evaluation for drugs of misuse. While this stage is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result here must be confirmed for it to stand in legal settings. Any samples registering as presumptively positive in Screening need a secondary verification.

If a sample tests as presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are retrieved from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine, saliva), rendering hair drug analysis the most intricate method to conduct.

Confirmation of any screening positives occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The full process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specifications and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing spots drug use extending to 90 days, versus urine tests that possess a more restricted detection duration.
• Challenging to deceive: It's exceptionally challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of the outcomes.
• Delivers historical insight: It showcases a drug use trend over time, unlike recent-only usage indicators.

Limitations:

• Unable to indicate recent use: Drugs generally require about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Cost factor: Hair drug testing is usually pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth rates might alter the drug metabolite concentration within the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the assessment evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Standard, LA
Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair analyses are less prone to manipulation and offer a longer detection period, providing a more reliable substance use history.

The reliability of hair follicle tests is evident in their ability to detect substances over an extended timeline. This comprehensive detection capability surpasses the limitations of urine tests, which typically only reflect recent usage.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Standard, LA
Hair follicle testing stands out with its prolonged detection window, capturing substance use up to 90 days back. This extensive period provides employers a panoramic view of an individual's substance history, aiding informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

By encompassing a longer timeline, hair follicle testing offers a nuanced understanding of an individual's drug use patterns. This affords employers a more complete profile than traditional testing methods, facilitating better policy adherence and safety measures.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Standard, LA
The robustness of hair follicle testing lies in its resistance to tampering. This integrity ensures results remain uncontested, offering employers peace of mind with reliable data that enhances decision-making processes.

Eliminating the risk of sample adulteration, hair follicle tests provide a formidable safeguard against attempts to manipulate results. This security assures employers of the validity and reliability of the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Standard, LA
Our extensive network of testing centers makes accessing hair follicle drug tests simple, no matter where you are. This vast reach guarantees quick and seamless service, removing the hassle commonly associated with testing logistics.

Enjoy the convenience of numerous local and nationwide locations, providing comprehensive testing services at your doorstep. This streamlined process ensures efficient, worry-free access to essential testing resources.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Standard, LA
From ordering to receiving results, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. This simplicity guarantees privacy and ease, addressing concerns of test-takers and stakeholders alike.

Our commitment to confidentiality ensures personal information and results are treated with the utmost discretion. The entire process is user-friendly, providing a smooth experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Standard, LA
Our competitive pricing structure coupled with swift result delivery offers unmatched value for businesses of all sizes. This combination assures companies that they are receiving a first-rate service that doesn't compromise on quality.

Experience rapid turnaround times without breaking the bank. Our commitment to affordability and efficiency allows companies to manage testing processes economically, ensuring both fiscal prudence and workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Standard, LA
Hair follicle testing excels in speed and precision, delivering trustworthy results quickly. With state-of-the-art diagnostics, these tests efficiently identify substance use, providing clarity and contributing to informed decision-making within the workplace.

The accuracy of hair follicle drug tests is unparalleled, adeptly detecting even minute traces of drug use. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of substance history, offering significant advantages over slower, less reliable testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Standard, LA
Adopting hair follicle testing helps enforce workplace drug-free policies effectively. This compliance reduces legal risks while promoting a safer and healthier work environment, ensuring peace of mind for employers and stakeholders.

Hair testing demonstrates a commitment to stringent policy enforcement, offering legal protection and bolstering workplace safety. This reliability is invaluable for maintaining a compliant and productive work atmosphere.

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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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