Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fountain Heights, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are now recognized as a potent means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use, embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. Collected near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection period extending up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (roughly the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for examination and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advocate confirming the sample weight using a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable amount of body hair may be collected. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary processing of a sample into the laboratory framework. This step involves verifying that the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not provided via an electronic chain of custody format.

Screening provides a swift preliminary evaluation for substances. While Screening is economically efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive indication must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that presumptively test positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

In instances where a sample tests presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn out from hair at concentrations vastly lower than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug screening as the most intricate method to administer.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is conducted utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The full lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assays can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: It is exceedingly difficult to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring results are more reliable.
• Reveals historical patterns: It can display patterns of drug consumption over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally have a higher cost than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can affect drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fountain Heights, TN, hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by offering a more effective detection method. Hair tests provide substantial benefits like improved accuracy and dependability, which traditional urine tests can't match.

The enhanced precision gives a comprehensive view of long-term drug use, making hair follicle tests an excellent tool for employers aiming to maintain a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle tests in Fountain Heights, TN offer up to 90 days of drug use history. This provides employers with a broad view of an individual's substance habits.

By assessing usage over several months, hair testing enables more accurate evaluations of a candidate’s or employee's past behavior, aiding in responsible decision-making for hiring managers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Fountain Heights, TN minimizes tampering risks, offering a trustworthy detection method. The technique makes it nearly impossible to alter or fake the results.

This reliability ensures that results are authentic and unquestionable, providing peace of mind to employers looking to maintain transparent and dependable drug use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our extensive network of centers, we provide easy access to testing services across the nation, including Fountain Heights, TN.

Clients benefit from the convenience of strategically situated locations, making drug testing straightforward and effortless, eliminating hassle and ensuring streamlined service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Fountain Heights, TN, boasts simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the process is straightforward, respecting privacy.

Addressing any concerns regarding ease of use and discretion, our testing service is designed to be non-intrusive while maintaining the highest privacy standards for our clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Fountain Heights, TN, our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times add significant value to businesses of all sizes, removing financial barriers to effective drug testing.

Offering quick and affordable service, companies can stay confident in receiving reliable results, promoting a healthy, drug-free work environment at a great price.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and precise, hair follicle drug tests in Fountain Heights, TN, provide highly accurate results. Their sophisticated analysis ensures reliable detection of substance usage, making them a preferred choice for those prioritizing accuracy.

Employers and authorities benefit from immediate and dependable feedback. Hair testing stands out with its speed, offering peace of mind through its swift, exact revelations of substance consumption history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Fountain Heights, TN, hair follicle testing aids employers by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thus helping mitigate legal issues.

With comprehensive drug-testing methods, businesses can confidently uphold compliance standards, enhance workplace safety, and maintain peace of mind in their operational environments.

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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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