Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Allons, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug exposure by embedding biomarkers in the hair's fibrous structure. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can offer roughly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional components, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for specimen measurement is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory evaluation of a drug test result entails four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's framework. This involves confirming the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any outstanding information not covered by an electronic chain of custody procedure.

Screening serves as an initial swift assessment for recreational drugs. Although Screening provides an affordable method to exclude drug usage in most cases, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal proceedings. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Supposing the Screening identifies a sample as presumptively positive, further hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug testing.

Any positive screening result is validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation if required. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine evaluations which have a narrower detection timeframe.
• Hard to compromise: Altering a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing the reliability of the outcomes.
• Supplies historical insight: It provides a longitudinal perspective of drug usage, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs typically require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments usually incur higher costs than alternative testing approaches.
• Inconsistent outcomes: Hair color and personal variations in hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," these assessments actually examine the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine testing, hair follicle tests in Allons, TN offer superior detection accuracy and reliability. They effectively identify long-term substance use, boasting a longer detection period advantageous for employers and legal entities.Hair testing reduces the likelihood of results being influenced by recent abstentions, providing a clearer picture.

Extended Detection Window

In Allons, TN, hair follicle testing is unparalleled in recognizing drug use over an extensive period, typically up to 90 days. This extended window gives employers a thorough understanding of a candidate's or employee's drug history, aiding in more informed decision-making processes.

By evaluating patterns of drug use over time, employers can assess a more complete substance use profile.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in Allons, TN is notably resistant to tampering. Due to its direct collection process and analysis methodology, this testing significantly minimizes the risk of adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable.

With no feasible way to alter the results, this method ensures that the samples remain intact and genuine.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers, including those in Allons, TN, offer unmatched convenience for hair follicle testing. With easily accessible locations, clients receive quick and hassle-free testing services throughout the country.

This expansive network ensures that employees and employers enjoy effortless access to essential testing resources.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Allons, TN, the process of arranging hair follicle testing is designed to be both simple and confidential. From ordering the tests to receiving results, our process prioritizes privacy and ease of use, giving individuals peace of mind.

Our streamlined procedures help clients navigate testing with discretion, ensuring all information is securely managed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

The competitive pricing and swift turnaround offered by hair follicle testing in Allons, TN deliver excellent value. This method allows businesses of all sizes to implement necessary drug testing procedures without financial strain.

By combining affordability with speed, we ensure that employers can maintain efficiency without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The advantage of hair follicle testing in Allons, TN lies in its precision and speed. This method boasts high accuracy in identifying substance use, providing fast and reliable results.

Utilizing advanced technology, these tests offer quick turnaround times, ensuring that results are delivered promptly and without compromising on accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Allons, TN experience peace of mind with hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with their drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks while enhancing safety within the workplace.

Employers can confidently uphold their zero-tolerance policies, supporting a secure and compliant working environment through reliable testing methods.

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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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