Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Drew, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures long-term biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected from the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands of hair (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and validation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It’s recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where a sample is integrated into the lab’s system. This involves confirming the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data inputs not provided by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening provides a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be considered valid in legal settings. Any samples with a presumptive positive outcome in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for preparation in Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at a concentration much lower than other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: It’s exceptionally challenging to cheat a hair drug test, which enhances result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: The test can show a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It usually takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair after use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are often more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Even though they are often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Drew, MS offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. One major aspect is its enhanced accuracy in detecting drugs. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer a longer detection period, typically uncovering drug use for up to 90 days. This extended window helps employers and legal systems make informed decisions.

Employers favor hair testing due to its reliability. Unlike urine tests that could be circumvented, hair tests are almost impossible to cheat, ensuring that detection is as accurate as possible. This makes hair follicle tests immensely valuable in zero-tolerance environments where maintaining strict drug-free policies is imperative.

Extended Detection Window

In Drew, MS, hair follicle testing is applauded for its ability to detect drug use over an extended timeline, typically up to 90 days. This prolonged detection window allows employers to thoroughly evaluate an applicant's or employee's historical substance usage. By using hair tests, businesses gain in-depth insights into an individual's behavior over time.

The extensive detection capabilities of hair follicle tests make them a preferred choice for those needing comprehensive assessments. In Drew, MS, this method offers employers peace of mind, knowing they have a full picture of a person's drug history, making for better informed and safer workplace decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Drew, MS is renowned for its resistance to sample tampering. By utilizing hair as the biological sample, this method significantly reduces the risk of adulteration that is often a concern with urine tests. Reliability and integrity of test results are thereby guaranteed, providing trustworthy information.

The robust nature of hair follicle tests makes them a critical tool for environments where accurate and dependable results are necessary. Tampering becomes a near impossibility, ensuring that test outcomes are both credible and legitimate. This is essential for legal systems and employers keen on maintaining honesty and safety standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience in Drew, MS with its extensive network of testing centers nationwide. Our strategic location in Drew allows for hassle-free access to necessary drug testing services, simplifying the entire process for individuals and businesses alike.

Whether in Drew or elsewhere, our numerous locations ensure that testing services are easily accessible, without travel burdens. This commitment to convenience enhances user experience, making testing services swift, easy to access, and stress-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

At Drew, MS, our process for hair follicle testing emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering and undergoing a test is straightforward, ensuring a stress-free experience. Privacy is paramount, and Accredited Drug Testing focuses on protecting individual information securely, maintaining the utmost discretion.

Receiving results is a confidential process, guaranteeing that personal details remain secure throughout. We strive to eliminate concerns about ease of use and privacy, making our testing process user-friendly and confidential for every client.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Drew, MS, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing structures, making them affordable for businesses of all sizes. Combined with fast turnaround times, clients receive excellent value for comprehensive drug testing services.

Economical pricing does not compromise on quality or speed. Our efficient process ensures quick results without breaking the bank, allowing companies to maintain drug-free environments economically. This balance of cost and quality makes our services appealing across various industries.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Drew, MS, the hair follicle drug test delivers swift and precise outcomes. Known for its ability to identify drug usage with high accuracy, this testing method surpasses many others in reliability. Results are typically obtained faster, providing peace of mind for those in need of quick answers. Speed and accuracy are the cornerstones of this widely trusted testing approach.

The hair follicle test stands out for its detailed analysis capability, making it the go-to choice in Drew, MS. The accuracy is unmatched, ensuring that instances of substance use are detected reliably. Precision in results means employers and individuals can trust the outcomes without hesitation. This confidence in the process is crucial for maintaining a safer environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Drew, MS supports workplace drug-free policies by ensuring compliance and reducing legal risks. Employers using this testing method experience enhanced workplace safety due to its comprehensive detection capabilities. The assurance of a clean environment promotes peace of mind, benefiting everyone involved.

Compliance with regulations is crucial, and hair follicle testing helps achieve that by providing reliable results that affirm a drug-free workplace. In Drew, MS, this method empowers employers to uphold high safety standards and reduce potential liabilities associated with drug use among employees.

Drug Testing Near Drew, MS

Sumner, MS

Webb, MS

Blaine, MS

Minter City, MS

Boyle, MS

Glendora, MS

Albin, MS

Mound Bayou, MS

Cleveland, MS

Merigold, MS

Renova, MS

Doddsville, MS

Ruleville, MS

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews