Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tickfaw, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures and retains markers of alcohol and drug use within its strands as it grows, offering a timeline of up to three months, especially when collected directly from the scalp. Hair collection is straightforward, less prone to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and verification. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not present, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Procedure Outline

The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage of entering a sample into a laboratory’s system. It verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes supplementary data entry not furnished by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to stand in court. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is obtained from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations lower than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing a challenging process.

Verification of any positive screen result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can indicate drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Depicts historical consumption: It outlines drug use trends over time rather than just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Can't reveal recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Tickfaw, LA

Hair follicle testing offers superior detection and reliability compared to traditional urine tests, providing a decisive edge in accuracy.

Employers and authorities in Tickfaw, LA, trust hair testing due to its ability to uncover longer-term drug use and reduced risks of tampering, unlike urine testing which only detects recent substance exposures.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Tickfaw, LA

Hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window of up to 90 days, providing a thorough overview of drug use history.

This feature particularly assists employers by offering a comprehensive insight into the applicant or employee's substance habits over an extended period, ensuring better hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Tickfaw, LA

Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the potential for sample adulteration, offering results that are both reliable and beyond dispute.

Unlike other testing methods, the risk of manipulation is minimal, providing assurance to those who require credible and solid drug testing outcomes in Tickfaw, LA.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Tickfaw, LA

Our vast network of testing centers across the country, including Tickfaw, LA, offers convenience and accessibility for all testing needs.

Such widespread availability ensures that the process remains hassle-free, promoting quick and easy service access whenever required.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Tickfaw, LA

The hair testing procedure in Tickfaw, LA, is straightforward and confidential, safeguarding privacy at every step from ordering to receiving results.

This approach addresses privacy concerns efficiently, ensuring an uncomplicated experience for all parties involved in the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Tickfaw, LA

We offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, making our services not just affordable but also highly valuable for organizations.

This efficiency in both cost and time provides tremendous advantages and peace of mind for businesses, irrespective of their size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Tickfaw, LA

Experience unparalleled accuracy and speed with hair follicle drug tests in Tickfaw, LA. These tests provide high precision in identifying substance use, demonstrating efficiency unmatched by other methods.

The method's speed in delivering results without compromising on accuracy benefits professionals seeking dependable data on substance usage, aiding in crucial decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Tickfaw, LA

Using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal risks and promoting safety.

Employers gain peace of mind, knowing they are maintaining a safe work environment while adhering to regulatory standards effortlessly.

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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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