Hair Follicle Drug Testing - South Bradley, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When taken close to the head, hair captures approximately up to a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. Gathering hair samples is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the head yields 100mg, the preferred quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional panels, and tests over 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is preferred. It’s advisable to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If head hair is not present, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. In context, head hair refers solely to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing process in the lab involves four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system, which includes ensuring the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry that is missing from an electronic custody record.

Screening performs a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. While this step is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, any positive findings require Confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples indicating a positive result during Screening need subsequent confirmation.

When a screen test shows a positive, more hair is taken from the original sample for Preparation in Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated at significantly lesser concentrations in hair compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging techniques.

For positive Screening outcomes, confirmation is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with positive indications are cleansed before Confirmation as necessary. The lab procedures from Accessioning to Confirmation are evaluated both under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug tests identify drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter range.
• Resistant to manipulation: It's highly challenging to alter a hair drug test, ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Patterns historical consumption: Provides a consumption history over time, unlike tests showing only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to monitor recent consumption: Drugs become evident in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Price: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug test methods.
• Result variance: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite presence in hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Wins Out Over Urine Tests is evident in South Bradley, TN. Hair testing showcases superior detection for substances due to its extended detection period and higher accuracy, clearly surpassing traditional urine testing. With nearly impossible tampering attempts, it becomes the top choice for employers and courts aiming for reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is one of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing in South Bradley, TN. This method boasts a broad detection span, often reaching up to 90 days, providing a thorough perspective on an individual's drug-related history. This comprehensive view assists employers in making more informed decisions and ensures workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method strengthens the assurance of hair follicle tests in South Bradley, TN. These tests markedly reduce sample adulteration risks, delivering results that can be trusted. Due to the collection nature of hair samples, these tests are regarded as nearly impossible to manipulate, offering a secure drug testing solution.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations make accessing hair follicle testing easy in South Bradley, TN. With numerous centers nationally, individuals can conveniently undergo necessary testing. Quick and hassle-free options are available, allowing employers and individuals to satisfy testing requirements without the burden of complex logistics.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process defines the hair follicle testing experience in South Bradley, TN. The procedure for ordering, undertaking, and receiving the results remains uncomplicated and ensures privacy. This transparency in the process allows participants to engage in testing confidently, knowing their information remains protected throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround are highlights of the hair follicle testing offerings in South Bradley, TN. Competitive pricing structures combined with rapid result delivery extend excellent value to companies of varying scales. This commitment to affordability and efficiency supports employers in maintaining drug-free workplaces without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are crucial for screening in South Bradley, TN. Hair follicle drug tests provide astounding precision in identifying substance use, offering results that are both quick and dependable. With the capability to accurately detect drugs, this method ensures confidence in test outcomes, serving its intended purpose with unmatched reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers becomes attainable with hair follicle testing in South Bradley, TN. Utilizing this method ensures alignment with drug-free workplace policies, effectively lowering legal liabilities and fostering a safer employment environment. Employers benefit from the peace of mind knowing compliance is maintained without hassle.

Drug Testing Near South Bradley, TN

East Brainerd, TN

West Bradley, TN

Southeast Bradley, TN

Ooltewah, TN

Collegedale, TN

Cleveland, TN

East Cleveland, TN

Apison, TN

Wildwood Lake, TN

South Cleveland, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews