Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wilmer, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strand stores historical data of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within its fibers as growth occurs. Sampling from the scalp can reveal a history of up to about three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch portion, comprising roughly 200 strands (approximately the circumference of a pencil), cut nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of sample, which is best for evaluation and verification. For EtG assessments, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, it is advised that 150mg is collected. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp strands are not obtainable, an equivalent sample of body hair can be used. When indicating head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Outline

The laboratory procedures for a drug test result consist of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates the initial integration of the specimen into the lab’s system. This step ensures that the specimen was appropriately sealed and transmitted, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial quick analysis for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to eliminate drug use in most cases, any positive screen requires confirmation to be considered legally valid. Specimens with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a specimen shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Here, substances are removed from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug analysis is complex to perform.

Positive Screening outcomes are authenticated with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. From Accessioning through to Confirmation, each laboratory procedure is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection timeframe of urine tests.
• Resistance to manipulation: Hair drug tests are highly resistant to cheating, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Historical data provision: Offers a drug use pattern over an extended period, rather than merely recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses are generally pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite common reference as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Wilmer, LA, excels in detection accuracy and reliability. With its capacity to uncover long-term substance use, it surpasses urine tests, which can overlook drug presence beyond a brief period. Hair tests offer businesses a trustworthy solution for enforcing zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Offering a comprehensive detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests in Wilmer, LA, allow employers to view an individual’s substance use over a substantial period. This extended timeframe provides deeper insights into behavioral patterns, surpassing the limited scope of other test types.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Wilmer, LA, provide a tamper-resistant approach to drug testing, significantly reducing risks of sample adulteration. Its meticulous collection process ensures unquestionable reliability, safeguarding against attempts to manipulate outcomes, thereby reinforcing confidence in results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing facilities nationwide, including local sites in Wilmer, LA, our network provides convenient access to hair testing services. This wide availability facilitates a quick, hassle-free process, ensuring that businesses and individuals receive timely and efficient testing support.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Wilmer, LA, prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, each step is designed to be straightforward, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for clients seeking discreet and efficient testing solutions.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer affordable pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle tests in Wilmer, LA. Our competitive pricing structure guarantees excellent value, making comprehensive testing financially accessible for businesses of all sizes while ensuring swift receipt of reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wilmer, LA, hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and undeniable accuracy in substance detection. Its ability to detect even minute traces of drugs ensures reliable outcomes. Its rapid processing further guarantees fast results, making it an indispensable tool for employers seeking dependable detection methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Wilmer, LA, enjoy peace of mind by incorporating hair follicle testing into their drug-free policies. This method not only establishes regulatory compliance but also bolsters workplace safety. Reduced legal risks and enhanced employee well-being become distinct advantages of choosing hair testing.

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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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