Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Solway, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair offers up to around a 3-month detection timeframe for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches from about 200 strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be substituted. References to head hair imply scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing drug test results involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab’s database. This includes confirming that the sample remains sealed and was shipped correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. While Screening is an economical means to dismiss drug use for the majority of samples, a positive result requires verification to be legally valid. Any presumptively positive samples during Screening necessitate secondary authentication.

For samples marked presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are withdrawn from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair screening one of the most challenging methodologies.

Verification of any positive screening output is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The end-to-end laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection range.
• Resistance to deception: Circumventing a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Provides historical insight: It delivers a usage pattern over time, beyond mere recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for substances to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically carry a higher cost compared to alternative testing methodologies.
• Result variations: Influences such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Solway, TN
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by providing a longer detection window and more accurate results. This method captures drug use history far beyond the reach of urine tests, offering a superior alternative for employers seeking thorough substance use insights. Hair testing's resistance to manipulation further ensures reliable outcomes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Solway, TN
The ability to identify drug usage up to 90 days back positions hair follicle testing as a comprehensive method for evaluating an individual's substance history. This extended window provides employers with a detailed view of an employee's or applicant's behavior over a significant period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Solway, TN
Hair follicle tests dramatically minimize the risk of sample manipulation, guaranteeing accurate results. The collection method resists adulteration, providing employers and authorities confidence that the results are genuine and trustworthy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Solway, TN
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation guarantees ease of access to services. Local facilities in Solway provide a seamless, prompt testing experience, ensuring clients can get tested without hassle or delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Solway, TN
We offer an easy and confidential process for ordering, undergoing testing, and receiving results. Our approach addresses privacy concerns and user convenience, ensuring everyone feels secure and informed throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Solway, TN
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times provide outstanding value, making our services accessible to companies of all sizes. This enables timely decision-making and support for organizational needs efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Solway, TN
Hair follicle drug testing offers rapid, precise, and trustworthy results. Its high accuracy in identifying substance use makes it a favored option. This efficiency aids employers in prompt decision-making, ensuring that results align with workplace standards swiftly and effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Solway, TN
By using hair follicle testing, businesses ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal liabilities and enhances workplace safety, granting employers peace of mind and fostering a healthier work 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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