Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Howison, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair assessment is now recognized as an impactful method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strands' fibers. When gathered close to the scalp, hair grants a detection window extending up to roughly three months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, quite resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising about 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the recommended amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen quantity of 150mg is advised. We propose using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be obtained. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other types (like facial or underarm hair).

Process Overview

The four essential stages in the lab evaluation of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the first phase of processing a sample within a laboratory system. This phase involves ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses an initial speedy evaluation for illicit substances. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must be confirmed for court validity. Samples appearing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples recorded as presumptively positive at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compare to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug screening is known to be the most challenging methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is performed via methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the recognition of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use history up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests offering a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to deceive: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the precision of results.
• Delivers historical insight: It can outline a pattern of drug use over time, rather than recent consumption alone.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs become noticeable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments tend to incur a greater cost than alternative drug testing methodologies.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Although sometimes termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the underlying scalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Howison, MS

• Hair testing offers unmatched detection accuracy and extended detection timelines.
• Compared to urine tests, hair analysis delivers a more comprehensive snapshot of substance history.
• Employers and courts favor its reliability and minimal chances of manipulation.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Howison, MS

• Hair follicle tests provide insights into drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days.
• This expansive window allows employers a detailed view of a subject's substance history.
• Through this method, a comprehensive understanding of drug habits is achievable.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Howison, MS

• Hair follicle assessments significantly minimize the risks of sample fraud.
• This tamper-proof check ensures the credibility and trustworthiness of results.
• For accurate assessments, this method remains largely foolproof.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Howison, MS

• Our vast testing center network offers centralized access across the nation.
• From Howison to other parts, assured and efficient service is guaranteed.
• These widespread locations ensure hassle-free testing access for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Howison, MS

• The ordering, testing, and results retrieval are straightforward and discreet.
• Concerned about privacy? Our processes ensure high confidentiality and ease.
• This streamlined method makes drug testing simple and private.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Howison, MS

• Competitive pricing structures give companies value with quick results.
• Fast turnaround times help businesses stay ahead with peace of mind.
• We offer excellent service affordability for organizations of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Howison, MS

• Hair follicle testing assures swift and pinpoint detection of substance use.
• Its precision surpasses traditional testing, offering near-immediate reliability in results.
• The efficiency and speed of this procedure make it a top choice for thorough drug assessment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Howison, MS

• Employing hair follicle tests enhances adherence to drug-free workplace mandates.
• This reduces potential legal challenges and fosters a safe working environment.
• Employers benefit from augmented security and compliance assurance.

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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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