Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bon De Croft, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The fibers of hair strands capture biomarkers as they grow, preserving a long-term record of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the same diameter as a #2 pencil), provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen amount of 150mg is advised. We suggest that specimens be measured using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair can be utilized. When referring to head hair, it indicates scalp hair solely, whereas body hair encompasses other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result generally involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was sealed and transported in accordance with protocol, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial quick test to detect drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to eliminate the possibility of drug use from most samples, a positive screening requires further Confirmation to be valid in a legal context. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening will need a secondary verification.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair drug screening being the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is done via techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms to the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a much shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, which enhances result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It delivers a pattern of drug usage over a prolonged period, rather than just indicating recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Cost: Conducting hair drug tests is typically more costly compared to other testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color or differing individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Bon De Croft, TN, demonstrates significant advantages over traditional urine tests. With superior detectability, hair tests provide insights into substance use over extended periods, unlike urine tests which only capture recent drug use. This longer detection period is crucial for comprehensive substance monitoring, appealing to employers and authorities who require detailed substance histories.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Bon De Croft, TN, offer the benefit of a much longer detection window, reaching back up to 90 days. This expansive period helps employers gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, making it a preferred option for ensuring workplace safety and compliance. The extended detection period gives a fuller picture of an applicant or employee's habits, setting hair testing apart from other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle drug tests conducted in Bon De Croft, TN, are notably tamper-resistant. As hair samples are difficult to alter, this reduces the risk of false results due to sample manipulation. This tamper-resistant nature ensures the integrity of the testing process, providing peace of mind for employers and legal entities who rely on accurate drug test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Bon De Croft, TN, the widespread availability of testing centers adds convenience to the hair follicle drug testing process. With numerous locations nationwide, our services are accessible and easy to use. Local residents benefit from quick and efficient testing, simplifying the process and minimizing disruptions to daily routines.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Bon De Croft, TN, involves a straightforward and confidential process. From ordering to receiving results, the privacy of individuals is maintained. This simple process ensures comfort and ease for those undergoing testing, addressing potential concerns about personal privacy and securing sensitive information effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, Bon De Croft, TN, provides great value with hair follicle testing. Our affordable pricing structures cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality and efficiency. This balance of cost and rapid result delivery makes hair testing an attractive option for many organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bon De Croft, TN, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid and precise results. The swift analysis ensures that results are returned quickly, minimizing waiting times. The accuracy of hair testing is unparalleled, capable of identifying substance use with a high degree of precision, making it a preferred choice for employers and authorities looking for reliable drug testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Bon De Croft, TN, embracing hair follicle testing aids in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This reliable testing method reduces legal risks and fosters a safer work environment. Employers gain confidence knowing that hair testing supports their zero-tolerance policies effectively, ensuring a commitment to safety and responsibility.

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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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