Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lowrys, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected close to the scalp, hair can provide an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) taken from the area near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for initial assessment and validation. For EtG, additions, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample weighing 150mg is advisable. The specimen should ideally be measured using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair might be used. The term "head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The four principal stages involved in processing a drug test result in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial sample processing into a lab's system, encompassing verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick assessment to check for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a budget-friendly method for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires verification to be valid in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessitated. Each step of the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both 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 reveal drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Tampering with a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Delivers historical insights: It outlines a pattern of drug consumption over time, as opposed to solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lowrys, SC, hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities compared to traditional urine tests. With an extended detection window, hair tests provide a comprehensive view of long-term drug use. The higher accuracy and reliability of hair testing mean fewer false negatives, making it an ideal choice for employers seeking in-depth insights into potential substance use.

Employers in Lowrys value hair testing over urine for its robust detection of habitual drug use. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to short-term detection, hair tests reveal patterns of use over months, enhancing the effectiveness of workplace policies against substance abuse.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lowrys, SC, offers an unparalleled detection window, uncovering drug use history up to 90 days. This extended period allows employers to gain valuable insights into potential employees' or current staff's substance use habits. This comprehensive view empowers employers to make informed hiring and management decisions.

By analyzing patterns of drug use over a longer timeframe, hair follicle testing provides a strategic advantage in assessing an individual's substance use. This extended window ensures that employers in Lowrys, SC, gather reliable data on drug use behavior, crucial for maintaining a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lowrys, SC, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures secure and reliable results. These tests significantly minimize the risk of sample adulteration, enhancing the credibility of the test outcomes. Unlike other methods, hair testing provides irrefutable evidence of drug use, offering peace of mind to all stakeholders.

Hair follicle testing is designed to withstand attempts to alter or tamper with samples, guaranteeing accurate results. In Lowrys, SC, this secure method is trusted to deliver unquestionable evidence of substance use, reinforcing its position as a preferred drug testing approach.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing locations available nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures quick and convenient access to its services in Lowrys, SC. This network of centers facilitates hassle-free testing processes, allowing for seamless service across various regions, ultimately enhancing client satisfaction.

The widespread availability of testing facilities simplifies the process for individuals and businesses in Lowrys, SC. This ensures that clients can easily access testing services, minimizing inconvenience and streamlining the drug testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing offers a straightforward and confidential process for hair follicle testing in Lowrys, SC. From ordering the test to obtaining the results, each step is designed to be easy and worry-free, addressing privacy concerns effectively. This streamlined approach ensures that clients experience minimal hassle throughout the testing process.

Clients in Lowrys, SC, benefit from a simple, confidential system for drug testing. The process prioritizes privacy while maintaining ease of use, ensuring that everyone's testing experience is both efficient and secure, alleviating any concerns about discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lowrys, SC, Accredited Drug Testing provides competitively priced hair follicle testing services with fast turnaround times. Businesses benefit from excellent value in drug testing solutions, catering to varying company sizes while ensuring timely results that support effective decision-making.

Affordable pricing and prompt result delivery make hair follicle testing accessible and practical for organizations in Lowrys, SC. With efficient service, companies can rely on these tests for cost-effective and timely insights into substance use, contributing to enhanced workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests in Lowrys, SC ensure fast results with a high degree of precision. These tests are efficient in detecting various substances, establishing them as a reliable tool for assessing drug use. The meticulous testing process guarantees valid results, giving individuals and organizations the confidence they need in their drug-testing decisions.

Through sophisticated laboratory techniques, hair follicle testing delivers swift, accurate outcomes that help in making informed decisions. In Lowrys, SC, this method stands out for its ability to provide quick, clear insights into substance use, supporting effective decision-making for all involved parties.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Lowrys, SC, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method not only aids in maintaining compliance with legal standards but also enhances workplace safety. By employing reliable testing methods, companies mitigate legal risks and foster a safe and productive working environment.

Using hair follicle drug testing gives employers in Lowrys the confidence that their workforce complies with drug policies. This assurance supports a safer, more secure workplace, reducing the potential for workplace incidents and enhancing overall peace of mind for 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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