Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tendal, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is recommended to have 150mg of the sample. We advise measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Outline

The four primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is entered into a laboratory’s system, involving checks to ensure the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completion of any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although it’s a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result from Screening must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Presumptive positive Screening results necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples presumptively positive in the Screening step, more hair is retrieved from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug analysis is among the most complex methodologies.

Any positive results from the Screening step are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets 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 Tendal, LA is clear. Hair testing offers superior detection due to its ability to uncover drug use over a longer period, whereas urine testing mainly detects recent usage. This distinction makes hair tests a more favorable choice for organizations seeking thorough investigations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window spells the superiority of hair follicle testing in Tendal, LA. The ability to monitor drug use over a span of up to 90 days provides employers with a detailed record of an individual's history, making it a reliable method for evaluating long-term abstinence or recurring use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Tendal, LA, Tamper-Resistant testing methods are necessary to ensure reliable results. Hair follicle tests markedly lower the likelihood of sample tampering, thus securing a trustworthy outcome that accurately reflects the individual's drug use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Benefitting from Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations, Tendal, LA residents and employers enjoy ease of access to testing services. Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous sites across the country, guaranteeing swift and hassle-free procedures when needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

For those in Tendal, LA, the process is Simple and Confidential. From ordering to results, everything is handled with privacy and simplicity in mind, allowing individuals and employers to confidently address drug testing concerns without unnecessary complications.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround are key benefits in Tendal, LA. Competitive pricing coupled with quick processing times provide significant value, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can rely on efficient services without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable results are crucial in drug testing, particularly in Tendal, LA. The precision and speed of hair follicle tests make them superior, capturing even the smallest traces of substance use with high accuracy, ensuring that employers and individuals get the information they need promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Tendal, LA is substantially enhanced through hair follicle testing. It promotes adherence to workplace policies against drug use, mitigating legal risks while contributing to a safer and more productive working 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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