Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Green Hill, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise verifying the specimen's weight using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When we discuss head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step checks that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a rapid initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in the bulk of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for it to be legally valid. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening demand a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are removed from hair at far lower concentrations than alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging methodology.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleaned as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to manipulate: It is quite challenging to alter a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical context: It can depict a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to cost more compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Green Hill, TN, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine testing by offering extended detection periods, earning the trust of employers and authorities. The detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing ensure that drug use traces are identified effectively, giving a clear picture of an individual's substance history over several months.

While traditional urine tests might miss prior drug use, hair follicle testing does not; it covers a broader timeline and minimizes room for deceit, making it an invaluable tool for maintaining safety and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Located in Green Hill, TN, the hair follicle testing method provides an extensive detection window of up to 90 days, far exceeding the capabilities of urine tests. This comprehensive timeline allows employers to evaluate their employees' or applicants' drug history comprehensively, ensuring that past substance use is no longer hidden.

Employers can make informed decisions backed by substantial data sourced from the longer detection span offered by hair follicle tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Green Hill, TN, hair follicle testing is a robust solution against sample adulteration. The secure and nearly tamper-proof methodology ensures that results are trustworthy and unbiased. By substantially lowering the chances of sample manipulation, hair tests provide reliable insights into individual drug-use history.

The meticulous collection and testing process significantly bolster employers' confidence in the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With our nationwide network and local presence in Green Hill, TN, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. Our locations offer convenient solutions, removing the hassle from drug testing processes. This accessibility ensures that employees and applicants can seamlessly participate, maintaining a swift and effortless testing experience.

Whether nearby or nationwide, our centers are available to meet testing needs promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Green Hill, TN, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, every step is designed with privacy in mind. Our commitment ensures that individuals undergo testing without concerns over their personal information, maintaining trust throughout the process.

Simplicity and confidentiality are at the core of every testing interaction, providing peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, our hair follicle testing services in Green Hill, TN, are designed for value and efficiency. We cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring that cost-effective solutions are within reach without compromising on quality or speed, providing excellent service with a quick turnaround.

These affordable options make deploying reliable testing protocols feasible for any organization.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Green Hill, TN, hair follicle drug tests are synonymous with fast, precise, and reliable results. These tests excel in identifying substance use over an extended period with unmatched accuracy. By offering quick results and heightened detection precision, hair testing has become a trusted resource for ensuring substance-free environments.

The ability of hair follicle tests to produce rapid, accurate data makes them a preferred choice for employers wishing to maintain workplace integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For businesses in Green Hill, TN, hair follicle testing is a proactive approach for compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By utilizing this testing method, employers can significantly reduce legal risks, ensuring a safer and more productive environment. The tests provide peace of mind, knowing that highly accurate results reflect the organization's stringent compliance efforts.

Adopting hair testing is a strategic advantage in upholding workplace safety standards.

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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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