Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Vidrine, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an efficient method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair can reveal extended patterns of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the fiber structures of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and other substances. It is easy to collect, resistant to adulteration, and simple to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch hair sample, around 200 strands, comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil, closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is considered optimal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent mass of body hair should be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The principal stages in processing a drug test outcome at a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial sample integration into the laboratory’s system. This step verifies that samples are properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an immediate check for substance abuse. While it's affordable and rules out drug usage in most cases, positive results from Screening must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples that initially test positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample for further preparation in the Extraction phase. Drugs are then isolated from hair at lower concentrations than methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of executing hair drug tests.

Confirmation of positive findings from Screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as needed. Every lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Unlike urine tests, hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days.
• Challenging to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• Presents historical context: It presents not just recent use but a pattern of drug consumption over a time span.

Limitations:

• Lacks detection of recent consumption: Drug evidence appears in hair approximately 5-7 days post-usage.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although typically called "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is of the hair strand itself, rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Vidrine, LA, hair follicle testing stands out compared to traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. It tracks substance use over a longer period, a key advantage over the more limited timeframe of urine tests. Hair tests provide a broader overview of an individual's history, mitigating the risk of recent detox and ensuring a more accurate assessment.

Extended Detection Window

With the ability to detect drug use up to 90 days back, hair follicle testing in Vidrine, LA, offers an extended detection window compared to traditional methods. This longer period provides a comprehensive view of a person's substance history, equipping employers with valuable insights into an applicant or current employee's potential risks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Vidrine, LA, present a tamper-resistant approach to drug screening. With rigorous sample collection procedures, these tests significantly reduce the possibility of adulteration, ensuring reliable results. This method minimizes doubts about sample integrity, reinforcing the trust in test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Vidrine, LA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to hair follicle drug testing services. Our extensive network guarantees a quick and hassle-free experience, enabling individuals and employers to meet their testing needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Vidrine, LA, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step values your privacy. This streamlined approach minimizes complexity and apprehension, making drug testing a user-friendly experience for individuals and organizations alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers affordable pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle tests in Vidrine, LA. Our competitive pricing structures, combined with rapid result processing, provide excellent value for companies of all sizes, ensuring cost-effective, reliable testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Vidrine, LA, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its speed and precision. The test delivers accurate and reliable results quickly, ensuring substance use is detected with high accuracy. Employers and individuals can trust the outcomes for making informed decisions regarding workplace safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Vidrine, LA, employing hair follicle testing contributes to workplace compliance and peace of mind. This approach ensures adherence to drug-free policies, lowering legal risks while enhancing overall safety. Employers can confidently use this testing method to maintain a secure and compliant 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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