Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Walden Ridge, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By encapsulating biomarkers within the hair's growing fibers, hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances. When collected near the scalp, it can yield a detection span of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and uncomplicated to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample, comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil), gathered closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable quantity of body hair is acceptable. When specifying head hair, it pertains only to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory’s database. This stage ensures that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any extra data entry that an electronic chain of custody system may not encompass.

Screening consists of an initial swift check for substance abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, yet a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples that are potentially positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing notably challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are potentially positive undergo washing prior to confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a shorter detection duration.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to deceive, thereby increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Reflects historical usage: It can depict a pattern of drug use over a timeframe, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: It approximately takes 5-7 days for drugs to manifest detectability in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing alternatives.
• Diversity in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Though often dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis pertains to 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 Walden Ridge, TN

• Compared to urine tests, hair analysis offers an extensive detection window, catching substances used over the past months.
• Its accuracy and reliability in revealing habitual substance use are unmatched.
• Employers benefit from clearer insights, helping enforce drug-free policies more effectively.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Walden Ridge, TN

• Hair testing tracks substance use over an expanded period, often up to 90 days, giving a fuller picture of an individual's history.
• Employers gain a comprehensive view of potential hires or employees' past substance usage.
• This extended period enhances the ability to assess consistent drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Walden Ridge, TN

• The hair follicle testing process minimizes risks of sample tampering and manipulation.
• Each test is secure and the results are trustworthy, helping maintain integrity in testing outcomes.
• The observed collection process adds an extra layer of security, ensuring genuine samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Walden Ridge, TN

• With testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing in Walden Ridge ensures ease of access.
• Quick and hassle-free testing reassures clients with efficient service availability.
• The proximity of testing locations offers convenience for all involved parties.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Walden Ridge, TN

• The process is streamlined and confidential, simplifying ordering, testing, and result reception.
• Privacy is prioritized, addressing concerns about personal data handling.
• Clients appreciate the straightforward steps from start to finish, ensuring comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Walden Ridge, TN

• Competitive pricing structures coupled with rapid turnaround times offer immense value to companies.
• Businesses of all sizes benefit from cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality.
• These attributes provide peace of mind and financial savings for stakeholders.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Walden Ridge, TN

• Hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision in detecting substances.
• Quick processing and reliable outcomes ensure stakeholders receive timely updates.
• This testing method significantly reduces errors, providing undeniable proof of substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Walden Ridge, TN

• Hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
• It mitigates legal risks, protecting businesses from potential liabilities.
• Ensuring a safer workplace allows for increased productivity and a positive work environment.

Drug Testing Near Walden Ridge, TN

Hardin Valley, TN

Briceville, TN

Clinton, TN

Petros, TN

Rosedale, TN

Fork Mountain, TN

New River, TN

Solway, TN

Coalfield, TN

Oak Ridge, TN

Oliver Springs, TN

Tennessee Ridge, 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