Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Memphis, TN

What it is, How it works

The examination of hair is recognized as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a record of alcohol and drug usage over an extended period by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand as it grows. When taken from the area close to the scalp, hair can offer an approximate detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, encompassing about 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the hair sample. If hair from the scalp is not obtainable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized instead. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other forms, like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The four key phases in the laboratory processing of drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the introductory handling of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This involves ensuring the sample was securely sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a sequential LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any extra data entry requirements not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient method for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive result needs further confirmation to be acceptable in legal contexts. Samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

For specimens marked as potentially positive during the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to conduct.

Validation of any positive results from screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are initially positive are washed before confirmation where necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny as per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, which enhances result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can chart a timeline of drug use over a stretch, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Memphis, TN

When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing demonstrates superior detection accuracy and reliability. It allows for a more comprehensive assessment of an individual’s substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Memphis, TN

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days, giving employers an in-depth view of an individual's substance use history. This extensive window provides a clearer picture of long-term use habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Memphis, TN

Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering. This method ensures reliable results that can’t be easily manipulated, bringing peace of mind to those relying on its accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Memphis, TN

Our network of testing centers across the nation ensures quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services, providing both convenience and efficiency for all individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Memphis, TN

The procedure for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential, ensuring user privacy and ease of handling.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Memphis, TN

We offer competitive pricing configurations with rapid result turnaround times, delivering great value and assurance to companies, large and small.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Memphis, TN

Hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision and speed, providing results that accurately detect substance use. This high accuracy makes them superior in pinpointing drug use compared to other methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Memphis, TN

Utilizing hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks, and enhancing safety across the organization.

Drug Testing Near Memphis, TN

Drummonds, TN

Collierville, TN

Rosemark, TN

Fisherville, TN

Lakeland, TN

Millington, TN

Germantown, TN

Ellendale, TN

Capleville, TN

Bartlett, TN

Shelby Forest, TN

Lenox, 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.

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