Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dubbs, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a historical overview, capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. By obtaining hair near the scalp, one can identify alcohol and drugs over a period of up to 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair may be gathered. Reference to head hair implies only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into a laboratory’s system. This stage encompasses the verification of proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Although cost-efficient and capable of ruling out drug use across most samples, positive screenings must be verified for court admissibility. Samples appearing presumptively positive in Screening mandate further confirmation.

Should a sample appear presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further analysis in Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at concentrations much lower than those found in other methodologies (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of positive screening results occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing prior to confirmation. The entire procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: It is challenging to deceive a hair drug test, increasing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over an extended duration, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent consumption: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to surface in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: Even though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Dubbs, MS

• Extended Testing Period: Hair testing can identify substance use over a longer timeline compared to urine tests.
• Increased Accuracy: Hair follicle testing boasts superior accuracy, minimizing false negatives or positives.
• Less Evasion: Manipulating hair samples proves exceedingly challenging compared to urine samples.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Dubbs, MS

• The detection capabilities of hair follicle tests stretch up to 90 days, capturing an extended snapshot of an individual's substance use.
• This longer window equips employers with a more thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's drug history.
• Helps in forming judgments based on consistent patterns of behavior rather than isolated events.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dubbs, MS

• Hair follicle tests significantly decrease the risk of sample tampering, offering unquestionable validity.
• The process secures the integrity of the test sample, avoiding common manipulations seen in urine tests.
• Ensures that results truly reflect the individual's substance use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Dubbs, MS

• Numerous testing centers nationwide simplify access to drug testing services.
• Increases convenience for individuals, ensuring they can find local centers with ease.
• Enables seamless, efficient processing of tests across various locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Dubbs, MS

• The hair follicle testing process is straightforward, promoting ease for all participants.
• Maintains the confidentiality and privacy of individuals undergoing testing.
• Addresses concerns surrounding privacy while ensuring a smooth testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Dubbs, MS

• We offer competitive pricing for our hair follicle testing services, making them accessible to companies of varying sizes.
• Fast turnaround times ensure results are delivered promptly, aiding swift decisions.
• Provides exceptional value through cost-effective and speedy testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Dubbs, MS

• Hair follicle drug tests are exceptionally precise, offering quick and reliable identification of substance use.
• The speed of results ensures timely decision-making for employers and legal authorities.
• Accuracy levels of hair tests outpace those of traditional testing methods, leading to confidence in results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dubbs, MS

• Utilizing hair follicle testing strengthens adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• Augments workplace safety by providing reliable drug use detection.
• Reduces the potential for legal ramifications arising from non-compliance with regulatory standards.

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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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