Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bullard, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a powerful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by locking biomarkers in the strands of hair as it grows. When sampled close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair specimen of around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests over 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for accuracy. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically, and by body hair, we mean all other hair, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in a lab is comprised of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about initiating a sample into a lab’s workflow. This entails verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing data entry not captured by an electronic custody system.

Screening performs an initial drug abuse check. It is an economical way to eliminate drug usage on most samples, but a positive result in Screening requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any presumptively positive samples during Screening require further verification.

Should a presumptive positive occur in Screening, more hair is extracted from the sample for Analysis. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods, such as urine or oral fluids, which is why hair drug testing presents the most challenging methodology.

Verification of any positive Screening result is performed with techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives are cleaned prior to verification as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to deceive: It is notably hard to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical od patterns: It gives a timeline of drug consumption over a duration, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: Drugs generally become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can affect drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the strand of hair, not the root within the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bullard, TX

In comparing hair follicle and urine testing methods, the superiority of hair testing is evident. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests offer a longer detection window and enhanced accuracy and reliability. In Bullard, TX, this means detecting substance use over an extended period, providing a more comprehensive insight into an individual's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bullard, TX

Hair follicle testing stands out due to its extensive detection period, often up to 90 days. For employers in Bullard, TX, this means a more thorough overview of an applicant or employee's substance habits. This long detection span surpasses that of traditional urine tests, ensuring informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bullard, TX

Hair follicle tests are a superior choice for minimizing the risk of sample tampering or adulteration. This testing method ensures the integrity of the results, providing reliable and unquestionable outcomes. Employers in Bullard, TX, can rely on the authenticity of these results for critical decision-making processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bullard, TX

Our expansive network of testing centers spans nationwide, including local outlets in Bullard, TX. This widespread availability promises convenience, ensuring that individuals and businesses have quick and hassle-free access to essential testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bullard, TX

Ordering, conducting, and retrieving results from hair follicle tests is a straightforward and confidential process in Bullard, TX. Our procedures ensure that privacy concerns are addressed while maintaining ease of use, providing a seamless experience for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bullard, TX

Our competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times make hair follicle testing an excellent value in Bullard, TX. We cater to companies of all sizes, ensuring that cost-effective solutions do not compromise on speed or accuracy, bringing peace of mind to employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bullard, TX

When it comes to precision and speed, hair follicle drug tests stand out. With near-immediate results, they provide unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use. Turnaround times are expedient, ensuring that employers in Bullard, TX, can make informed decisions swiftly, reinforcing workplace safety and maintaining productivity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bullard, TX

For employers focusing on maintaining a drug-free workplace, hair follicle testing is the perfect tool. It not only aids in complying with workplace policies but also minimizes legal risks. This empowers employers in Bullard, TX, with the confidence to maintain workplace safety and ensure compliance.

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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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