Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ardmore, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug intake, capturing biomarkers within the strand's fibers as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair provides an estimated 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 strands, roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil, situated nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary analyses, and/or assessments involving more than 10 panels, a 150mg quantity of the sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. In instances where scalp hair isn't obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair pertains to scalp hair solely, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes verifying the sample's secure sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and capturing any supplementary data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary, rapid examination for substance abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to discount drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples yielding presumptive positives in Screening proceed to require confirmatory analysis.

When a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing prior to necessary confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can detect drug use spanning up to 90 days, whereas urine tests present a more limited window.
• Challenging to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test proves significantly arduous, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Chronological usage data: It provides insights into drug use patterns over time, beyond mere recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate usage: Approximately 5-7 days are necessary for drugs to become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ardmore, TN

In Ardmore, TN, hair follicle tests offer several advantages over traditional urine tests, primarily due to their wider detection window and more reliable outcomes. By comparing both methods, it's clear that hair tests offer superior detection, making them more effective for comprehensive screening.

Employers and legal entities often favor hair testing because of its ability to detect drug use over an extended period and the difficulty of tampering, ensuring more valid results compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ardmore, TN

One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing in Ardmore, TN, is its ability to detect drug use over a longer timespan of up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a broader understanding of an individual's substance use history, which can be crucial in maintaining a drug-free work environment.

The extended detection period provides an all-encompassing view, helping employers and professionals make informed decisions based on long-term patterns rather than recent behaviors alone.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ardmore, TN

Hair follicle tests are recognized for their tamper-resistant nature, offering an undeniable advantage in Ardmore, TN. The method significantly minimizes the potential for sample adulteration or contamination, thus providing reliable and uncontestable results.

By using hair samples, the risk of tampering is greatly reduced compared to other testing methods. This makes hair follicle tests a preferred choice for those seeking trustworthy and accurate drug screening solutions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ardmore, TN

Accredited Drug Testing in Ardmore, TN, offers the convenience of both local and nationwide testing centers. This ensures that access to necessary testing services is quick and hassle-free, catering to the needs of various clients across regions.

Our widespread network guarantees that individuals and organizations have seamless access to professional testing services, reducing the complexity often associated with drug testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ardmore, TN

Our hair follicle testing in Ardmore, TN, involves a straightforward and private process from start to finish. Clients can easily order, take, and receive test results, with utmost confidentiality guaranteed throughout each step.

This ensures peace of mind for those concerned about privacy, as our procedures prioritize your security and ease of use, allowing for a stress-free testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ardmore, TN

Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Ardmore, TN, make hair follicle testing an attractive proposition for businesses of all sizes. We pride ourselves on delivering great value while ensuring that results are delivered promptly.

By providing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality or speed, we offer companies peace of mind and certainty in their drug testing endeavors.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ardmore, TN

Hair follicle drug testing stands out for its precision and quick turnaround times. In Ardmore, TN, these tests are acclaimed for their ability to accurately detect substance use, providing employers and authorities with dependable results.

The use of hair samples ensures the process is less invasive and delivers fast results. Hair testing not only pinpoints the presence of drugs but does so in a manner that is known for its reliability and speed.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ardmore, TN

Employers in Ardmore, TN, can rely on hair follicle testing to ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thereby lowering legal liabilities and promoting a safer working environment.

Using this testing method not only aids in compliance but also provides peace of mind to employers, knowing that their workforce is more likely to follow drug-free commitments, ultimately enhancing overall workplace safety.

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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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