Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tellico Village, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair analyses have gained recognition as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-lasting record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. A hair sample taken near the scalp can yield around a 90-day detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample comprising 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and verification. For EtG and panels beyond 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equal volume of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair kinds (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in the laboratory evaluation of a drug testing sample are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the preliminary handling of a specimen into a lab's records. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial, swift assessment for signs of substance misuse. Although Screening provides an economical means to negate drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates verification to be valid legally. Samples that appear positive during Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample test tentatively positive in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is utilized and made ready for Extraction. Drugs are then retrieved from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or salivary fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is considered the most challenging method to perform.

Confirmation for a positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples testing presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory operation from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug testing can identify substance use spanning up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a shorter detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably hard to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more trustworthy outcomes.
• Delivers historical insight: It offers an overview of substance usage patterns over an extended timeframe, beyond just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect immediate use: Drugs become traceable in hair roughly 5-7 days following use.
• Expense: Hair drug analysis is typically costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Diverse outcomes: Elements such as hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair development can impact the level of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outperforms urine testing in Tellico Village, TN, by offering superior detection capabilities.

• Longer detection period up to 90 days
• Higher accuracy and reliability
• Reduced chances of results manipulation

Employers prefer hair tests because they ensure comprehensive substance histories, crucial for maintaining drug-free environments and reducing workplace risks.

Extended Detection Window

In Tellico Village, TN, one of the most powerful advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. With a period of up to 90 days, this method offers a more comprehensive view of an individual’s drug history.

This extended timeframe provides a thorough account of substance use, which traditional tests cannot match. It's especially beneficial for employers needing detailed background checks on employee or applicant behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Tellico Village, TN, drastically minimizes the risk of adulteration.

• Almost impossible to cheat
• Collection under observation
• Provides reliable results

This tamper-resistant method enhances the credibility of testing outcomes, ensuring that results are both unquestionable and trustworthy for all stakeholders involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Tellico Village, TN, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations nationwide. By providing widespread access, individuals and employers benefit from quick and efficient services.

The availability of local centers minimizes hassle, ensuring that whether for routine checks or urgent needs, testing services are readily and easily accessible.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Tellico Village, TN, is designed for simplicity and confidentiality.

• Easy ordering
• Secure sample collection
• Discrete result access

We prioritize privacy and user ease, ensuring that all steps from ordering to results retrieval are straightforward and protect individual privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive pricing for hair follicle tests in Tellico Village, TN, delivering affordable options with fast turnaround. Our pricing structures meet diverse company budgets while maintaining high-quality service delivery.

Rapid results guarantee that businesses can make decisions swiftly, gaining excellent value without sacrificing precision or timeliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Tellico Village, TN, the efficiency of hair follicle testing is unmatched. Hair tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results that put employers at ease. With precision data on substance use, these tests lead the industry in measuring drug presence.

The high accuracy rate of hair follicle testing ensures that substance use detection is not only precise but also swift. This is invaluable when quick decisions are necessary in maintaining workplace safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle tests in Tellico Village, TN, assures compliance and peace of mind for employers. These tests support enforcement of drug-free workplace policies and reduce legal liabilities.

Ensuring thorough substance use separation policies protects both the business and its workforce, fostering a safer and more efficient work environment.

Drug Testing Near Tellico Village, TN

Lanier, TN

Sweetwater, TN

Concord, TN

Alnwick, TN

Binfield, TN

Philadelphia, TN

Friendsville, TN

Vonore, TN

Lenoir City, TN

Greenback, TN

Loudon, 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