Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Longview, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a detailed history of alcohol and various drugs by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can show a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, the potential for tampering is minimal, and it is convenient to send.

An ideal sample for testing and confirmation comprises a 1.5-inch section from about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, resulting in 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional screenings, and tests beyond 10 panels, it is best to have 150mg of the sample. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. In situations where scalp hair is not present, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair only, whereas body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the lab's system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial quick analysis for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for eliminating drug use in most samples, confirmation is necessary for any positive screen for it to be court-admissible. Any samples that test positively in Screening require subsequent confirmation testing.

For samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted and readied for Extraction. Within this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at a much lower concentration than in alternative methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to perform.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are employed to confirm any positive screen results. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed if necessary. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug screenings can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection range.
• Challenge to falsify: Given the difficulty to falsify hair drug tests, results tend to be more reliable.
• Chronological data: Hair testing provides a timeline of drug usage, not limited to recent use.

Limitations:

• No immediate detection: Drugs only become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result inconsistency: Elements such as hair color and individual growth patterns can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Longview, MS, offers significant advantages over traditional urine testing. One of the primary benefits is the superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can identify drug usage over a much more extended period. This allows employers and institutions to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, making hair tests the preferred choice for comprehensive drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window in Longview, MS, as it can trace drug usage up to 90 days prior. This broad timeframe offers employers a clearer and more comprehensive picture of an individual's substance use habits over the past months, making it especially valuable for vetting applicants and monitoring current employees' adherence to drug-free policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Longview, MS, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage. These tests drastically reduce the risk of sample manipulation, ensuring that results are reliable and beyond dispute. Hair samples cannot be easily altered or substituted, providing peace of mind to employers and organizations relying on these tests for critical decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations and dedicated sites in Longview, MS, accessing hair follicle testing services has never been easier. Our network of testing centers provides quick, seamless, and hassle-free services, ensuring that individuals and employers can obtain the necessary tests without delays or inconvenience, no matter where they are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Longview, MS, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is simple, ensuring that concerns surrounding privacy and ease of use are addressed. Individuals can rest assured that their personal information is protected throughout the entire testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Longview, MS, our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle drug testing offer excellent value. Businesses of all sizes can take advantage of affordable testing options, receiving results rapidly without sacrificing quality. This ensures cost-effective solutions that meet the needs and expectations of organizations seeking reliable substance use testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Longview, MS, hair follicle drug tests are known for their exceptional precision and speed. These tests offer a high level of accuracy, making them an ideal choice for detecting substance use. Rapid results allow individuals and organizations to make informed decisions quickly, ensuring that substance use issues are addressed promptly and efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Longview, MS, benefit from using hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method mitigates legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety by effectively identifying substance use. Employers can trust that their workplace environment remains safe and secure, offering peace of mind for both management and employees.

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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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