Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Apison, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the strand grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to about three months for substances like alcohol and other drugs. It's easy to collect hair samples, somewhat hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample, roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The drug test processing in a laboratory involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a laboratory's database. This step confirms the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Although it’s a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in many samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be considered valid in a legal setting. Any samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity are washed before confirmation as needed. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing accuracy.
• Provides a history: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent habits.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drug presence takes about 5-7 days to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth disparities can impact the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Even though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the testing process examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Apison, TN, the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are clear. Hair testing boasts superior detection accuracy, capturing drug use up to 90 days. This extended window offers a comprehensive physiological history, unmatched by urine testing.

Whereas urine tests only detect recent use, hair tests are tamper-resistant and demonstrate reliability. Hair screening reflects long-term substance usage, giving employers key insights into an individual’s habits.

Extended Detection Window

One of the key strengths of hair follicle testing in Apison, TN, is the extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days. This extensive period allows employers to gain deeper insights into an individual’s drug history.

With hair testing, employers can review an applicant’s or employee’s substance use over a longer timeline, ensuring informed decision-making regarding employment suitability and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Apison, TN, hair follicle testing stands out for its tamper-resistant qualities. Unlike other testing methods, hair sampling significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration.

This robust testing method assures reliable and unquestionable results, making it invaluable for employers and institutions that prioritize integrity in drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers a network of nationwide locations, including Apison, TN, ensuring easy access to services. Our expansive reach guarantees quick and hassle-free testing for individuals and employers alike.

Whether in Apison or elsewhere, our centers provide a convenient option for anyone needing reliable drug testing services across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Apison, TN, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering a test to receiving the results, every step protects privacy and ensures ease of use.

This approach reduces anxiety around testing procedures, ensuring individuals feel comfortable and confident in the handling of their personal information throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Apison, TN, enjoys competitive pricing and fast turnaround times through hair follicle testing. Our affordable structures provide excellent value for businesses of varying sizes, complementing budgetary needs.

With swift delivery of results, our services enable companies to make prompt and informed decisions, prioritizing both efficiency and cost-effectiveness in drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Apison, TN, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision and rapid results. Unlike other methods, hair tests consistently provide high accuracy in detecting past substance use, making them a reliable choice for assessments.

The speed at which results are processed is outstanding. Hair testing technology ensures fast turnaround times, meeting the needs of both employers and individuals seeking reliable screening outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Apison, TN, employers can ensure compliance with stringent drug-free workplace policies. This proactive approach minimizes legal risks while enhancing overall workplace safety.

Providing peace of mind, hair testing supports a zero-tolerance stance by reliably identifying substance abuse, thus fostering a safer work environment for all 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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