Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Christiana, TN

What it is, How it works

The identification of alcohol and drug use via hair testing has gained reputation as an impactful method. Hair locks in biomarkers within its growing fibers, providing an extended historical record of substance use. With collection near the scalp, hair can evidence alcohol or drug intake for approximately a 3-month period. The procurement of hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advisable. It is recommended to measure the specimen's weight using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. The term "head hair" exclusively denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other varieties including facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory sequence for processing drug test results includes four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This stage involves ensuring the sample is appropriately sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry that isn't pre-recorded through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails conducting a preliminary scan for drug substances. Although a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use for most specimens, a positive screen result necessitates further confirmation for legal acceptance. Specimens showing presumptive positivity during Screening need subsequent confirmation.

Should a specimen be found presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which underscores the complexity of hair drug screenings.

Confirmation of any positive screen result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing of all presumptively positive specimens is conducted before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review in accordance with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation standards pursuant to ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage up to 90 days, superior to the lesser detection spans of urine tests.
• Minimal cheating potential: The accuracy of hair drug test results is enhanced due to the difficulty of deceit.
• Historical use tracking: It reveals a chronological pattern of substance use over time, beyond recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs become identifiable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to alternate testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and individual hair growth differences influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," these evaluations analyze solely the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Christiana, TN
When assessing the efficacy of drug tests, it's clear that hair follicle tests outperform traditional urine tests.

• Longer detection periods, up to 90 days, offer more comprehensive substance use insights.
• Observed collections reduce tampering risks, ensuring authenticity.
• Superior accuracy makes cheating nearly impossible.

Switching from urine to hair testing aligns with modern requirements for accuracy and reliability. By switching, one maximizes substance use history assessment, especially valuable for legal and employment contexts with strict policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Christiana, TN
Hair follicle testing excels with its prolonged detection capability.

• Employers benefit from a window of up to 90 days, far exceeding urine tests' timeframe.
• This comprehensive view is crucial for evaluating an individual’s long-term substance use and ensuring workplace policy compliance.

Implementing hair follicle tests provides employers with substantial insight into past substance use, fostering informed decisions in recruitment and employment maintenance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Christiana, TN
Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring trustworthy results.

• Collections are carried out under supervision, eliminating the possibility of sample switching or dilution.
• This testing method offers results that stand up to scrutiny, providing confidence to both employers and individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Christiana, TN
Our expansive network of testing centers, including local options in Christiana, TN, ensures accessible services.

• Clients enjoy hassle-free processes with numerous nationwide centers to choose from.
• The ease of access facilitates faster test completion, aligning with tight timelines.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Christiana, TN
The simplicity and confidentiality of our hair follicle testing process address privacy concerns effectively.

• Ordering and conducting tests are straightforward, ensuring minimal hassle.
• The confidentiality in handling results safeguards individuals' private information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Christiana, TN
Our commitment to competitive pricing and quick result delivery supports businesses economically and operationally.

• Accessible pricing structures accommodate companies of all sizes.
• Expedited result processing bolsters decision-making timelines.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Christiana, TN, our hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. The high precision of these tests ensures that detection of substance use is prompt and dependable, offering significant advantages over other testing methods. Clients benefit from a streamlined process that delivers swift outcomes with confidence.

Precision in hair testing translates to high accuracy in substance detection. This accuracy guarantees that even minimal drug consumption is identified during the testing window. Consequently, employers can rely on our services for dependable results that reflect actual substance use, supporting critical decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Christiana, TN
Engaging in hair follicle testing secures workplace drug policy enforcement.

• Employers achieve regulatory compliance by upholding drug-free workplace standards.
• The legal risks associated with workplace substances abuse are minimized, enhancing employee and client safety.

Drug Testing Near Christiana, TN

Lakewood Park, TN

Eagleville, TN

Wartrace, TN

Beech Grove, TN

Unionville, TN

Beechgrove, TN

Rutherford, TN

Murfreesboro, TN

Bell Buckle, TN

Kittrell, TN

Overall, TN

Rockvale, TN

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews