Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Barren Plains, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair retains biomarkers of alcohol and drugs within its strands, offering a long-term usage history. When collected near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol consumption over a period of about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easily transportable.

Collecting a 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields around 100mg, the ideal sample size for initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable amount of body hair is permitted. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves entering a sample into the lab’s system. This step confirms the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening serves as an initial drug abuse check. Though cost-efficient and effective for excluding drug use in most samples, any positive findings require confirmation for legal admissibility, necessitating a secondary confirmation for presumptive positives.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other testing approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), positioning hair drug testing as a challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Any presumptive positives are washed before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review by 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 identify drug use over a 90-day span, as opposed to urine tests with shorter timelines.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks usage history: They provide a comprehensive overview of drug use over time, not limited to recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair typically occurs 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to incur higher costs compared to alternative methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly known as “hair follicle tests,” the procedure evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Barren Plains, TN
Hair follicle tests significantly outperform urine tests in several key areas. In Barren Plains, TN, the superior detection accuracy ensures that substance use is identified up to 90 days, far beyond the limited window of urine tests. Hair testing also lessens the risk of sample tampering, offering unmatched reliability and peace of mind.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Barren Plains, TN
One of the main advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. This method allows employers to look back up to 90 days into an individual's substance use history. Whether for pre-employment screening or ongoing monitoring, this comprehensive view offers a detailed perspective, encouraging informed decision-making in the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Barren Plains, TN
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their tamper-resistant qualities. In Barren Plains, TN, this method drastically reduces potential sample adulteration, assuring employers and professionals of the reliability and integrity of test results. This assurance paves the way for unquestionable findings, forming the bedrock of sound workplace policies and judgments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Barren Plains, TN
Whether you're in Barren Plains, TN or elsewhere, our network of testing centers ensures unmatched convenience. With nationwide accessibility, testing services are readily available, offering a hassle-free experience from start to finish. This ease of access translates into efficient, effective testing processes for all involved parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Barren Plains, TN
In Barren Plains, TN, our drug testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to test-taking and result interpretation, every step is designed to safeguard privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. Participants are assured of discretion at every stage, with clear pathways that maintain the integrity of the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Barren Plains, TN
Our competitive pricing structures coupled with quick turnaround times offer significant value for businesses in Barren Plains, TN. Regardless of company size, clients benefit from cost-effective solutions, ensuring swift access to results. This approach emphasizes economy without sacrificing the quality and reliability of drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Barren Plains, TN
The beauty of hair follicle drug tests lies in their remarkable efficiency and precision. In Barren Plains, TN, these tests ensure swift detection of substances, surpassing the accuracy levels customary with traditional methods. Employers and legal entities benefit from the trustworthy insights provided by these superior tests, ensuring high levels of reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Barren Plains, TN
The utilization of hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering peace of mind to employers. In Barren Plains, TN, this approach reduces legal risks and enhances overall safety, reinforcing a culture of trust and reliability. Employers can confidently uphold standards without compromising integrity or workplace welfare.

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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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