Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Timberlane, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing stands out as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they develop. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can reveal data on alcohol and other drugs over a roughly 3-month period. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional assessments, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Processing drug test results in a laboratory involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample enters a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes additional data input not managed by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary swift test for drugs of abuse. Though Screening offers a cost-effective means to rule out drug use in most instances, a positive result must be verified for legal proceedings. Samples with a provisional positive in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, further hair is extracted from the sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid); hence, hair drug testing is among the most challenging procedures to execute.

Positive screening outcomes are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumptively positive undergo a wash before confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection: Hair tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests provide a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to circumvent: Due to the difficulty in faking a hair drug test, results are deemed quite reliable.
• Historical insight: Supplies a record of drug activity over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks immediate detection: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become visible in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Certain elements like hair color and personal hair growth rates can modify drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Timberlane, LA, hair follicle testing is a superior choice over traditional urine tests for detecting drugs. Benefits of this method include extended detection times, surpassing the brief window that urine tests cover, and delivering more conclusive evidence of drug use.

Hair testing offers employers a more comprehensive analysis compared to urine testing. Its longer detection period and resistance to common test-fooling tactics make it a preferred choice among organizations committed to zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Timberlane, LA, excels with its extended detection window, tracking substance use up to 90 days. This wide time frame gives employers a thorough view of an employee's or candidate's drug history.

The ability to detect substances over an extended period allows businesses to assess long-term habits rather than recent consumption alone, fostering a well-informed decision-making process for hiring or continued employment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Timberlane, LA, provide a tamper-resistant option for drug screening. This method significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, offering supportable and unquestionable outcomes.

The robust nature of hair testing makes it a preferred choice for employers aiming to eliminate the possibility of test tampering, reinforcing the integrity of the drug-testing process and ensuring accurate results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous nationwide centers, accessing hair follicle testing in Timberlane, LA, is both convenient and straightforward. These local facilities support quick and hassle-free access to testing services, catering to clients across different regions.

The ease of access is a key factor for employers and individuals, ensuring that necessary testing can take place promptly without unnecessary delays or complications, providing seamless service experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Timberlane, LA, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking samples and receiving results, the procedure is streamlined to address privacy concerns and ensure ease of use.

Privacy is a top priority. Our system is crafted to protect client confidentiality and offer straightforward navigation through each testing step, rendering a stress-free experience for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Timberlane, LA, is not only fast but also affordable. Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times deliver excellent value, catering to companies of all sizes with budget constraints or demands for prompt results.

Affordability combines with prompt service to provide a dynamic solution for businesses seeking reliable drug testing without exceeding financial limits, ensuring they receive the best service for the price.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests in Timberlane, LA, are unmatched, providing reliable results quickly. These tests are celebrated for their high accuracy in detecting substance use, giving users a swift and clear understanding of drug status.

Hair testing is not only fast but incredibly accurate in identifying substances. This reliability is crucial for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free workplace, as it ensures that testing outcomes are dependable and trustworthy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Timberlane, LA, aids in compliance and offers peace of mind. This method upholds workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal concerns while bolstering safety and confidence among staff and stakeholders.

Employers who implement hair testing can rest assured that their drug detection practices meet regulatory requirements and support a safe and secure work environment, benefiting the company’s and employees' well-being.

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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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