Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eupora, MS

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has emerged as an effective mechanism for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by sequestering biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. This method is easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample amount for preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We recommend measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to stand up in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a more limited detection window.
• Difficulty to manipulate: It is notably challenging to alter a hair drug test, enhancing the precision of the results.
• Displays historical data: It reveals a timeline of drug use over a span of time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Differing results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the presence of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing provides considerable advantages over traditional urine tests in Eupora, MS. Its ability to accurately detect substances over an extended period outperforms urine testing's shorter detection window. With its high reliability, hair testing showcases superior precision in drug detection.

Extended Detection Window

For those in Eupora, MS, seeking detailed insights on substance use history, hair follicle testing is invaluable. With its ability to trace drug use up to 90 days, it provides employers with a comprehensive look into the applicant or employee’s decision-making over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Eupora, MS, is a highly secure drug testing method. It minimizes risks of adulteration, offering reliable and constant results. This testing format ensures the accuracy needed for critical decisions in workplace and legal environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers offer unparalleled convenience. Whether in Eupora, MS, or elsewhere, accessing hair follicle testing has never been easier, ensuring quick and hassle-free service for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing, from ordering in Eupora, MS, to receiving results, is straightforward and private. This approach addresses any privacy concerns, ensuring ease of use for both companies and individuals alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Eupora, MS, our competitively priced hair follicle testing services emphasize value. With fast turnaround times, we offer companies of all sizes excellent service and economic efficiency, ensuring peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, precise results helping organizations make informed decisions in Eupora, MS. The method is renowned for its accuracy, ensuring detected substance use aligns with reality. The speed with which results are provided further underscores the reliability of hair testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Eupora, MS, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Adherence to drug-free policies is simplified, ensuring diminished legal risks. The method enhances workplace safety, affirming compliance with company guidelines.

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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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