Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mosheim, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair traps biomarkers within the strands, allowing for a long-term record of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for testing. For EtG or tests above 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The key steps in laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the primary handling of a sample into a lab’s system, verifying that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial, rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is cost-effective for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legality in court. Presumptive positives in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample indicates a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screen is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Challenge to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical information: It illustrates drug use patterns over time, not just current usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Differences in outcomes: Variables like hair color and growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Tests in Mosheim, TN
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing excels in detection accuracy and reliability. These tests are virtually tamper-proof and provide a broader temporal overview of substance use, ensuring employers in Mosheim can trust the results.
Hair testing's longer detection window makes it a superior choice for long-term drug use awareness.

Extended Detection Window

In Mosheim, TN, hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection period of up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a thorough insight into an individual’s substance use history. Such a lengthened timeframe in drug detection offers a more comprehensive view of a prospective or current employee's habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Mosheim, TN, significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration. This method offers unquestionable reliability as it is challenging to tamper with, making it a trustworthy option for employers who prioritize integrity in their testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of our nationwide testing centers, including locations in Mosheim, TN, ensures quick and accessible testing services. Our reach across numerous cities guarantees a hassle-free experience, making drug testing straightforward for our clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Mosheim, TN, is characterized by a simple and confidential process. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results is straightforward and respects privacy concerns, ensuring the procedure is both private and easy for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Mosheim, TN, offers affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our competitive pricing structures ensure excellent value, allowing companies of all sizes to access reliable testing services without financial strain, fostering peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Mosheim, TN, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled accuracy, making them a preferred choice for detecting substance use. Hair follicle testing efficiently identifies drugs and alcohol, providing fast and reliable results that greatly assist employers in maintaining a safe and secure environment. The high degree of accuracy ensures a dependable evaluation of substance history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Mosheim employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance and peace of mind by aligning with drug-free workplace policies. This testing method mitigates legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing a secure environment for everyone involved.

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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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