Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Satartia, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now a widely recognized method for identifying both drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a record of alcohol and drug usage over time by embedding biomarkers within the growing strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal information on alcohol and drug consumption over a period of up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, an optimal quantity for initial testing and subsequent verification. For tests involving EtG, enhancements, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is advisable. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result encompasses four pivotal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary entry of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry needed that hasn't been provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary evaluation for drug abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be deemed valid in legal settings. Any samples suspected of being positive in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample is suspected to be positive during the Screening process, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), underscoring the challenge of performing hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive outcome from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples suspected of being positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection range.
• Reduced potential for tampering: Hair drug tests pose a substantial challenge to manipulate, thereby increasing accuracy.
• Yields historical insights: Allows insight into drug usage patterns over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Limited to non-recent use detection: Drugs are typically undetectable in hair until around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result discrepancies: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth can impact metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Satartia, MS

Compared to urine testing, hair follicle tests offer improved accuracy and reliability. They trace substance use over an extended period, making them superior for long-term monitoring. This ensures more concrete detection capabilities, setting them apart as the go-to method for detailed substance abuse assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Satartia, MS

Hair follicle testing allows tracing of drug use up to 90 days back, offering employers a chance to evaluate a comprehensive history of substance use. This extended detection window is invaluable for providing an in-depth assessment of an employee’s or candidate’s drug use habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Satartia, MS

Hair follicle tests substantially mitigate the risk of tampering, offering credible results that are difficult to adulterate. This feature makes them a reliable choice in drug testing, ensuring authenticity and precision in substance evaluation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Satartia, MS

With a network of conveniently located testing centers, accessibility and ease of testing are guaranteed. Nationwide facilities ensure smooth and hassle-free access to services, enhancing our position as a trusted testing provider.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Satartia, MS

The hair testing procedure is straightforward and ensures confidentiality throughout ordering, testing, and receipt of results. We prioritize privacy and simplicity, assuring clients of an easy, stress-free experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Satartia, MS

Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times offer excellent value, meeting the varied needs of businesses. This service ensures peace of mind and financial efficiency, appealing to companies of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Satartia, MS

Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision in substance detection. These tests deliver rapid and accurate insight into drug use, ensuring that results are both swift and dependable. In Satartia, MS, this high level of accuracy enhances the credibility of substance monitoring.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Satartia, MS

By employing hair follicle testing, employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks. This enhances workplace safety and provides peace of mind, making them a crucial part of employee management strategies.

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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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