Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atwood, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now perceived as a potent instrument for uncovering drug and alcohol use. The structure of hair provides a prolonged account of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. In context, head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary four steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the first processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step includes confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to rule out drug use in the majority of samples, a positive Screen must be validated to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed 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 uncover drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, thus enhancing the precision of the results.
• Historical insight: It offers a record of drug use over time, not just recent incidents.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Leads in Detection
In Atwood, TN, hair follicle testing stands out due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests.

• Hair testing captures a longer detection window, up to 90 days.
• It's less invasive and easy to administer.
• Provides greater detail into drug use patterns.

Extended Detection Window

An Extensive Detection Timeline
With hair follicle testing in Atwood, TN, employers gain insight into a substance use history spanning up to 90 days. This extensive coverage offers a thorough view that urine tests fail to match.

• Employers receive detailed reports on applicants and employees.
• Supports informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Ensuring Integrity Through Testing
Reduce the risk of samples being tampered with by utilizing hair follicle testing in Atwood, TN. This method's robust design assures the validity and credibility of results.

• Greatly minimizes alteration attempts.
• Provides peace of mind through higher result integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Testing Convenience Across the Nation
Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient and accessible facilities nationwide and in Atwood, TN.

• Get easy access to trustworthy testing locations.
• Experience a hassle-free service that caters to your needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

A Confidential and Straightforward Process
Atwood, TN, clients experience a process that's as simple as it is confidential.

• Easily order, take, and receive test results.
• Your privacy is our priority, ensuring discreet handling at all times.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Value and Speed Combined
Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround, our services in Atwood, TN, provide businesses great value.

• Ensure faster results without stretching budgets.
• Flexible pricing models accommodate companies of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed You Can Trust
In Atwood, TN, the high accuracy of hair follicle drug tests ensures precise and rapid identification of substance use. Unlike traditional methods, this testing doesn't just meet expectations but exceeds them, creating a reliable solution for those in need of fast yet meticulous results.

By employing advanced techniques, hair tests deliver results quickly while retaining their accuracy, allowing companies to maintain efficient operations without sacrificing quality.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Assured Compliance and Relaxation
In Atwood, TN, hair follicle testing is essential for adherence to workplace drug-free policies. By using this method, employers not only decrease legal risks but also enhance overall safety.

• Ensures a responsible work environment.
• Heightens workplace trust and security.

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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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