Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sugar Creek, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive account of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 90-day window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, containing about 200 strands (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is an ideal amount for both testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is preferred. It's advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar amount of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The essential steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This step is about confirming the sample was packed and shipped correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data input not provided by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid test for drug abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive result must be validated to be legally acceptable. Samples that test positive during Screening require secondary verification.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are withdrawn from hair at a substantially lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to carry out.

Confirming any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under 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 testing can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It is exceedingly difficult to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides chronological data: It can indicate a trend of drug usage over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot recognize recent consumption: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result inconsistencies: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Even though termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Is Superior to Urine Testing
In Sugar Creek, LA, hair testing offers a significant edge over urine testing by detecting substances over a longer time and reducing the chance of manipulation. This assurance of accuracy delivers valuable consistency for employers making critical staffing decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window Advantages
In Sugar Creek, LA, the hair follicle test shines with its ability to trace drug use back up to 90 days. This extended observation period allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of substance use trends, enhancing informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Unrivaled Security Against Tampering
In Sugar Creek, LA, hair follicle testing is a bastion against sample tampering. Its integrity in procedure and analysis leaves no room for adulteration, delivering trustworthy results that bolster employer confidence and uphold stringent policy standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Testing Convenience with Extensive Reach

• Our test centers nationwide, including precise and practical services in Sugar Creek, LA, provide seamless access to hair follicle testing. This ensures a smooth experience, reducing time and effort spent on logistical aspects of employee and professional testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Confidential Process
The hair follicle testing process in Sugar Creek, LA is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to sampling and receiving results, our discreet method respects privacy, eliminating concerns related to personal data exposure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective Testing with Prompt Turnaround
In Sugar Creek, LA, competitive pricing and swift test result times are key offerings of our hair follicle test services. Businesses of varied sizes can benefit from budget-friendly options without sacrificing result quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Swift and Precise Outcomes in Sugar Creek, LA
Hair follicle drug tests lead the industry in accuracy, quickly identifying substance use with precision. Their ability to deliver fast results, often within a few days, ensures timely decisions without compromising reliability, reinforcing their exceptional value.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employer Confidence Through Compliance
By utilizing hair follicle testing in Sugar Creek, LA, employers can guarantee adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This proactive approach minimizes legal risks and strengthens workplace safety, creating a harmonious and confident 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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