Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lamont, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection span of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of about 200 strands of hair (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent measure of body hair may be collected. When mentioning head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.) are categorized as body hair.

Process Overview

The four core steps in the laboratory processing of a drug testing result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial stage of processing a sample into a laboratory's system. This encompasses confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary brief assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be court-admissible. Any samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample indicates presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

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

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Historical data provision: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Lamont, MS offers distinct advantages over traditional urine testing. The superior accuracy of hair tests captures a longer history of substance use, providing a clearer snapshot of an individual’s behaviors.

Unlike urine tests that detect recent drug use, hair tests uncover patterns up to 90 days, ensuring reliable insights for workplace and court purposes.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Lamont, MS is a significant benefit. Employers gain a 90-day look into an individual's drug habits, far surpassing the limited scope of urine tests.

This comprehensive view aids employers in assessing consistent patterns of drug use, vital for making informed hiring and management decisions in Lamont.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Lamont, MS inherently resist tampering, offering reliable results that other methods may compromise. The difficulty in altering or falsifying hair samples ensures test integrity.

Ultimately, Lamont employers benefit from the assured authenticity of results, which bolsters confidence in maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Lamont, MS enjoys the convenience of nearly effortless testing service access through Accredited Drug Testing’s widespread network of centers.

With numerous nationwide locations, scheduling a hair follicle test becomes a hassle-free experience, perfectly aligning with the busy schedules of Lamont residents.

Simple, Confidential Process

The simplicity and confidentiality of the testing process in Lamont, MS, ensure a seamless experience. From ordering to sample collection, every step respects your privacy.

Receiving results becomes straightforward, offering individuals and employers peace of mind with guaranteed confidentiality and ease in Lamont.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in Lamont, MS becomes affordable. This affordability, combined with quick turnaround times, offers excellent value.

Companies of all sizes in Lamont benefit from our affordable structures, enjoying both cost-effectiveness and expedited, reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lamont, MS, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their unmatched precision and speed. These tests offer a highly accurate reflection of substance use, thanks to sophisticated technology.

Enhanced accuracy in hair follicle testing identifies drug patterns with minimal error, proving invaluable for employers ensuring a drug-free workplace in Lamont.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Lamont, MS ensures compliance with strict drug-free policies. Employers enjoy reduced legal risks and a commitment to safety.

This testing method accommodates stringent requirements for workplace safety, fostering a secure environment and peace of mind for Lamont employers.

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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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