Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wisner, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a prolonged record of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strands. When clipped close to the scalp, it can reveal a detection period of nearly 3 months for substances like alcohol. Additionally, hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

An ideal amount for analysis is 1.5 inches of roughly 200 strands of hair (equivalent to the girth of a #2 pencil) taken from closest to the scalp, which amounts to 100mg. This is the perfect sample for initial and confirming tests. For tests involving EtG, supplemental panels, or those beyond 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable mass of body hair is acceptable. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes other types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The drug testing procedure in a laboratory involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning corresponds to the sample's initial entry and handling within a lab's system. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipment were secure, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any remaining data entry that an electronic chain of custody system doesn't cover.

Screening entails a quick preliminary analysis for substance misuse. Although it serves as a cost-efficient method for discounting drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates further validation for legal acceptance. Hence, any sample that exhibits a positive result during Screening requires a secondary validation.

For samples that demonstrate presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is extracted for further processing. This phase involves drug extraction at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which make hair-based testing a more complex methodology.

The Confirmation phase for any positive preliminary results leverages GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing before Confirmation if required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for a span of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a limited detection range.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably challenging, thereby ensuring the accuracy of results.
• Historical usage data: It showcases drug use patterns across time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent usage undetectable: Detection of drugs in hair usually takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair tests come with a higher cost compared to other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair pigmentation and individual growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often mislabeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair shaft rather than the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug screening in Wisner, LA, hair follicle tests offer a clear advantage over traditional urine tests. The benefits of hair testing lie in its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive view of drug use over an extended period, making it a preferable option for many entities.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection windows offered by hair follicle testing in Wisner, LA, provide employers with up to 90 days of substance use history. This method delivers an inclusive picture of an employee's or applicant's drug use, far surpassing the limited period covered by urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Wisner, LA, considerably reduce the likelihood of sample tampering. The integrity of this testing method is unmatched, ensuring reliable and indisputable results. This tamper-proof approach is crucial for maintaining accuracy in drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the ease of convenient testing locations across the nation, including Wisner, LA. Our widespread network ensures that accessing testing services is hassle-free, offering both local and nationwide facilities to meet your needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Wisner, LA, our order and testing process is simple and confidential. We prioritize privacy and ease of use at every stage, from ordering tests to obtaining results. This straightforward approach ensures a worry-free experience for all.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Wisner, LA, prides itself on offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structure provides exceptional value, making it feasible for businesses of all sizes to maintain drug testing programs without extra cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wisner, LA, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its rapid and precise results. The test's high accuracy makes it a reliable choice for detecting substance use. This method ensures that results are not only fast but also trustworthy, reflecting a true measure of substance history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Achieve compliance and peace of mind in Wisner, LA, with hair follicle testing. Employers can trust this method to adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing overall safety. The reliability of hair testing fosters a secure 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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