Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Westlake, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol intake. Hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug usage up to nearly a three-month timeframe. It’s easy to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both initial tests and confirmatory procedures. For EtG, additional analysis, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement is recommended. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. The term head hair denotes scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair encompasses all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The pivotal stages in processing a drug test result at the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a specimen within a laboratory’s framework. This phase confirms proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required data input that an electronic chain of custody system doesn’t address.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While an economical means to negate drug usage in the majority of cases, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Any specimens deemed preliminarily positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive result at the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for further preparation in the Extraction phase. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably intricate to execute.

Positive screening outcomes are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples suspected positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can find evidence of drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to evade: Evading a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical insight: It furnishes a history of drug usage across a timeline rather than just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs typically become evident in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing options.
• Result discrepancies: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the test actually evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Westlake, LA, hair follicle drug testing excels over traditional urine tests, offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a clear picture over an extended period, unlike urine tests that cover a shorter timeframe. This method is especially beneficial for employers seeking to maintain a drug-free workplace, ensuring long-term substance abstinence detection.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Westlake, LA offers a unique advantage with its extended detection window covering up to 90 days. This capability provides employers with a comprehensive substance use history of applicants or employees, allowing for better-informed decisions about their workforce. It surpasses traditional methods in long-term drug detection efficiency.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Westlake, LA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant method that significantly lowers the risk of sample adulteration. This reliable testing ensures results that are beyond question, offering peace of mind to employers and legal entities alike. The inherent durability of hair samples further safeguards against tampering attempts.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide testing centers, including local options in Westlake, LA, ensuring easy access to testing services. Our network supports quick and hassle-free test administration, regardless of your location, offering vital services with minimal disruption to your schedule.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Westlake, LA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns efficiently. From ordering tests to receiving results, each step is designed for maximum ease of use. This user-friendly system aligns with the importance of safeguarding personal information at each stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and swift turnaround times in Westlake, LA highlight the value of hair follicle testing. Competitive rates ensure companies of all sizes benefit from reliable services without financial strain. Quick result delivery further enhances operational efficiency, supporting timely decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Westlake, LA are unmatched. They deliver highly accurate substance use detection, minimizing the chances of false positives or negatives. Results are efficiently processed, ensuring swift feedback. Employers benefit from timely, reliable data crucial for making informed hiring and retention decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Westlake, LA gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks while promoting a safe and productive work environment. Reliable detection measures help companies maintain policy integrity and employee trust.

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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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