Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Washington, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other drug use by ensnaring biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other hair forms (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures in processing a drug test result encompass four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s framework. This encompasses verifying the sample's proper sealing and dispatch, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid examination for substances of abuse. While Screening is an inexpensive means to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that test presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptive positive during the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this process, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening stands as the most intricate methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a narrower detection duration.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a trend of drug consumption over a duration, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Compared to other drug testing methods, hair drug tests are generally pricier.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Washington, LA, surpasses urine testing in several areas. Its extended detection period ensures superior accuracy, offering reliable insights into drug use compared to traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle test in Washington, LA, provides a prolonged detection period, often up to 90 days. This extended window allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Washington, LA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution, significantly reducing the possibility of sample adulteration and ensuring reliable, unquestionable outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering numerous testing centers across the country, including Washington, LA, our facilities provide easy and hassle-free access to drug testing services, ensuring convenience and timely service.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Washington, LA, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to testing to receiving results, the process ensures privacy and ease of use for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Washington, LA, offers excellent value for companies of all sizes, assuring quick and cost-effective results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Washington, LA, are known for their precision and speed. These tests provide highly accurate results, making them a preferred choice for detecting substance use efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Washington, LA, helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks while promoting a safer and more secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near Washington, LA

Talisheek, LA

Saint Benedict, LA

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Husser, LA

Wilmer, LA

Mount Hermon, LA

Bush, LA

Folsom, LA

Angie, LA

Sun, LA

Warnerton, LA

Varnado, LA

Bogalusa, LA

Franklinton, LA

Zona, LA

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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