Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mowbray Mountain, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug activity for up to approximately 3 months. The collection of hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hairs (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. For head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug testing results consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step in integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial, rapid review for drug usage. Although Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive results must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Samples initially testing positive in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the primary specimen for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging technique to carry out.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples predicted to be positive are washed as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficult to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, lending greater accuracy to the results.
• Historical insight: It offers a history of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine tests in Mowbray Mountain, TN? Primarily, its extended detection window and enhanced accuracy. Hair samples reveal a broader history of substance use, unlike urine tests that reflect recent intake only. This comprehensive approach offers employers a clearer view, making it highly valued in maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Mowbray Mountain, TN, offers an impressive detection period of up to 90 days, providing employers with a detailed view of an individual's substance use history. This extensive timeframe surpasses traditional methods, allowing a thorough assessment of long-term drug use and enhancing the decision-making process in hiring and employment retention.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is a robust method that significantly minimizes the chances of sample tampering. In Mowbray Mountain, TN, this approach provides security and reliability, as altering or substituting samples is nearly impossible. Employers and legal entities rely on this test for its unquestionable accuracy and dependable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations spread nationwide and in Mowbray Mountain, TN, accessing drug testing services has never been easier. Our strategically placed centers ensure quick, hassle-free service, offering clients from all locales the flexibility to undergo testing close to home and maintain necessary compliance without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Mowbray Mountain, TN, prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering a test to receiving results, every step is designed to be user-friendly and discreet. This ensures privacy and comfort for individuals, making the testing experience straightforward and stress-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Mowbray Mountain, TN, enjoy competitive pricing and fast turnaround with our hair follicle testing services. We ensure that cost-effectiveness does not compromise quality, making these tests accessible for companies of all sizes. These factors contribute to excellent value, meeting the needs of both small and large enterprises swiftly and efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Mowbray Mountain, TN, hair follicle testing stands as a beacon of efficiency and accuracy. This method provides quick and reliable detection of substance use, delivering results swiftly. Its precision leaves no room for doubt, ensuring that both employers and individuals receive accurate evaluations. These tests are a preferred choice for those seeking dependable and rapid analysis.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Mowbray Mountain, TN, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. It not only ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies but also mitigates legal risks. By implementing such stringent testing, companies can enhance workplace safety and foster a more secure and productive environment.

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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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