Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Latimer, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When acquired near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests that exceed 10 panels, 150mg of the hair is advised. It is recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is present, a similar amount of body hair may be taken. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a sample within a lab’s system. This step involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Screening serves as a cost-effective method to exclude drug consumption in most samples; however, a positive screen must be confirmed for the results to be court-admissible. Any samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, extra hair is sourced from the preliminary specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in concentrations lower than those used in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screen results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to falsify, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insights: Hair drug testing can establish a usage pattern over time, rather than indicating only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot determine recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Latimer, MS, hair follicle testing demonstrates clear benefits over traditional urine testing. One of its major advantages is superior detection accuracy. While urine tests can only detect recent drug use, hair tests provide a more comprehensive overview. This longer detection window grants more confidence in the results, making it a preferred choice for maintaining drug-free environments.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection period of hair follicle testing in Latimer, MS, offers an up to 90-day window to uncover past drug use. This broader timeline allows employers to gain deep insights into an employee or candidate's substance history, helping in making informed decisions about hiring and retention. Its advantage lies in capturing more extensive drug use patterns than conventional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Latimer, MS, significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable results. This method is renowned for being tamper-resistant, offering accuracy and integrity in drug testing. Unlike other tests, trying to alter or affect the outcome of a hair sample is almost impossible, providing reassurance to those who rely on its findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient locations across the nation and locally in Latimer, MS, accessing testing services becomes simple and hassle-free. Our Nationwide testing centers ensure patients and administrators alike benefit from ease of access to top-quality drug testing facilities, making it a swift and uncomplicated process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Latimer, MS, our hair follicle testing is characterized by a simple and confidential process. From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, every step prioritizes privacy and ease of use. This seamless experience ensures that concerns around privacy are addressed, making it straightforward for users to engage with our services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Latimer, MS, we pride ourselves on offering affordable pricing and swift turnaround for our drug testing services. This ensures exceptional value for companies of all sizes, alongside speedy results delivery. Our competitive pricing structure allows businesses to confidently monitor drug use while managing costs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results in Latimer, MS. It's precision in detecting substance use sets it apart from other testing methods. The technology behind hair analysis allows for a highly detailed view of an individual's drug history, providing results that can be trusted by employers, legal entities, and individuals seeking clarity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Latimer, MS, using hair follicle testing can secure compliance with workplace drug-free policies. It not only reduces legal risks but also enhances overall workplace safety and productivity. By choosing this reliable method, employers gain peace of mind knowing they're maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

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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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