Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Woodardville, LA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for detecting both drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture long-term alcohol and drug history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect hair, tamper-resistant, and simple to ship.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing roughly 200 hair strands (approximating a #2 pencil in size) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, an optimal quantity for evaluation and confirmation. In cases involving EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t available, similar amounts of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair comprises all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in laboratory processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning initiates sample processing within a lab’s system. This encompasses verifying the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a swift initial check for drugs. Though cost-effective for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for court admissibility. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the original specimen for preparation in Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Challenging to circumvent: It is exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby increasing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It records a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Tops Urine Testing in Woodardville, LA
Hair tests outshine urine tests with superior detection accuracy over extended periods. Unlike urine tests that cover short-term drug use, hair testing's vast timeframe offers a more reliable substance use assessment.

Employers benefit from the accuracy and dependability of hair tests, providing a clearer picture of an individual's drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Longer Detection Period in Woodardville, LA
Hair follicle testing can identify drug use over a substantially longer period—up to 90 days—giving employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance use history. This extended detection window is invaluable for comprehensive background checks.

Such prolonged detection capabilities help employers make better-informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure, Tamper-Proof Testing Methods in Woodardville, LA
Hair follicle testing significantly lowers the chances of sample tampering, providing unswervingly accurate and trustworthy results. The process's vigilance ensures the authenticity of test outcomes.

The security of hair tests presents a robust solution against attempts to manipulate results, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience with Nationwide and Local Testing in Woodardville, LA
With extensive nationwide testing centers, gaining access to drug testing services is seamless. The local centers in Woodardville ensure that testing is quick and straightforward, with minimal hassle involved.

This network offers a stress-free solution for companies and individuals requiring testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Private Process in Woodardville, LA
Ordering, undergoing, and obtaining hair follicle test results follows a discreet and straightforward process to prioritize privacy and user-friendliness.

Concerns about confidentiality and ease of use are minimized with the streamlined processes employed for hair testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective with Rapid Turnarounds in Woodardville, LA
Offering competitive pricing and expedited results, our hair follicle testing services deliver excellent value to businesses of all sizes. Our efficient process ensures swift result delivery without compromising quality.

Employers can rely on our cost-effective solutions for maintaining workplace standards efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Precise, and Dependable Outcomes in Woodardville, LA
Hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and accuracy, effectively identifying substance use. These tests excel in providing quick results while maintaining high precision levels, ensuring reliable outcomes for employers and institutions alike.

The efficiency of hair testing methods ensures that results are both swift and credible, allowing for decisive action where required.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Peace of Mind and Compliance for Employers in Woodardville, LA
Utilizing hair follicle testing aids in upholding workplace drug policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing the work environment's safety. Employers gain peace of mind through such compliant testing measures.

Employers enjoy the assurance that their drug-free policies are being upheld meticulously.

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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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