Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Springville, MS

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an influential method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged history of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When collected near the scalp, it can yield up to about a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system. This process checks that the sample was adequately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial rapid inspection for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage on most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening require secondary verification.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), hence hair drug screening is among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory methodology from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests which have a shorter detection range.
• Hard to deceive: It's notably challenging to falsify results of a hair test, enhancing accuracy.
• Historical insights: It can outline a drug use pattern over a time frame, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests come at a higher cost than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Springville, MS, hair follicle testing is gaining momentum over traditional urine tests due to its superior benefits. Hair tests boast higher detection accuracy, ensuring even minute traces of drugs are caught. This reliability makes them a preferred choice for stringent drug policies.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing provides results that are more difficult to dispute. This enhanced reliability stems from a more extensive detection period, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of someone’s substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Springville, MS, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window up to 90 days. This long period provides employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance use history, far beyond the timeline of traditional tests.

The ability to detect drug use over three months is invaluable for employers aiming to maintain a drug-free workplace. This ensures they're making informed hiring decisions, based on comprehensive data about past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Springville, MS provides a tamper-resistant solution for drug testing. Unlike other methods, the risk of adulteration is significantly minimized, ensuring test results are accurate and credible.

This secure testing process involves directly observing sample collection, drastically reducing chances of tampering. Hence, hair follicle tests deliver trustworthy outcomes that could withstand scrutiny, making them ideal for sensitive environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient testing services, our nationwide centers and local facilities in Springville, MS make access easy and stress-free. Quick scheduling and efficient processes ensure services align with your needs without unnecessary complications.

Our widespread network means that no matter where you are, testing locations are within reach. This accessibility supports prompt, hassle-free drug testing across the board.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Springville, MS, the process of scheduling and performing hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. We prioritize your privacy and guarantee that every step from order to results maintains stringent confidentiality.

Customers appreciate a straightforward process that respects their privacy while delivering accurate results. From start to finish, every aspect of the process is designed to be user-friendly and discreet.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Springville, MS, we offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround on hair follicle drug tests. Competitive pricing structures are designed to suit businesses of all sizes, providing exceptional value.

With a focus on rapid results, our turnaround times are optimized to ensure you're never left waiting. This efficiency coupled with cost-effectiveness presents a compelling option for employers seeking reliable drug-testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results in Springville, MS. This testing method is unparalleled in its precision, ensuring substances are detected with high accuracy. These results provide peace of mind to employers seeking clearer insights into substance use.

In terms of speed, hair tests outperform many alternatives. With quick processing times, results are delivered promptly, minimizing wait times and allowing for swift decision-making based on conclusive data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Springville, MS, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, offering peace of mind. These tests demonstrate a commitment to safety and legal adherence, reducing potential risks and liabilities.

Employers gain confidence knowing they are fostering a safer workplace. Hair testing deters drug use, aligning with zero-tolerance policies, and supports a productive, drug-free environment.

Drug Testing Near Springville, MS

Sherman, MS

Wallerville, MS

Denmark, MS

Tula, MS

Houlka, MS

New Houlka, MS

Sarepta, MS

Ingomar, MS

Woodland, MS

Ecru, MS

Toccopola, MS

Thaxton, MS

Algoma, MS

Randolph, MS

Pontotoc, MS

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews