Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dothan, TX

What it is, How it works

The detection of drug and alcohol use via hair testing is regarded as an effective method. Hair offers a comprehensive record of drug and alcohol consumption over time, as biomarkers become embedded in the growing hair's fibers. When taken from near the scalp, a hair sample can reveal substance use for up to a 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering with it is relatively challenging, and it is convenient to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch section of about 200 hairs (approximately equal to the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both initial testing and verification. For EtG, additional types of drugs, or more extensive screenings beyond ten panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the hair sample is advisable. If no scalp hair is present, an equivalent amount of hair from other body parts can be used. In this context, "head hair" refers specifically to hair on the scalp, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

There are four principal stages in processing a laboratory drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a sample for input into a lab system. This stage involves checking if the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra information entries absent from an electronic custody chain.

Screening involves an initial rapid evaluation for controlled substances. It is a cost-efficient way to dismiss drug use in most samples; however, a positive screening must undergo confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

When Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is prepared from the original sample for Extraction. This involves extracting substances from the hair at a minimal concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.

Any positive findings from Screening are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing identifies drug use up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests that have a shorter detection timeline.
• Minimal alteration risk: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks usage history: It uncovers patterns of substance use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• No recent usage detection: Drugs become visible in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Higher costs: Hair testing is typically costlier than other drug test methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair pigmentation and growth rate differences can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests," these assessments analyze the hair strand itself, not the scalp-located hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Dothan, TX, hair follicle testing outshines urine tests primarily due to its broader detection window. Compared to urine tests, which provide a narrower picture of substance use, hair testing unveils a more comprehensive understanding. Hence, its accuracy and reliability are often unmatched.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Dothan, TX, offers an extensive detection window, with the capability to uncover drug use up to 90 days prior. This method allows employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance history. Unlike other tests, it furnishes a wider substance detection timeframe.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Dothan, TX, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant solution that significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration. This reliability ensures authentic results, offering peace of mind to those requiring unquestionable drug test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to testing services in Dothan, TX, with nationwide and local locations. Our vast array of centers simplifies the process, providing quick, convenient, and stress-free options for those in need of drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Residents in Dothan, TX can count on a straightforward and private process for hair testing. From placing orders to receiving results, the methods are simple and assure confidentiality, addressing potential privacy concerns effortlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and quick results, the services in Dothan, TX offer excellent value for businesses. From startups to large enterprises, our affordable rates and swift turnaround empower companies with reliability and economic benefits.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dothan, TX, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and precision. By promptly identifying substances, these tests offer high accuracy that far exceeds traditional methods. Their design ensures results that are both fast and reliable, making them a top choice for accurate substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Dothan, TX, hair follicle tests ensure compliance with drug-free workplace regulations. By minimizing legal exposure and boosting workplace safety, these tests offer employers assurance and consistency in following strict drug policies.

Drug Testing Near Dothan, TX

Clyde, TX

Tiffin, TX

Carbon, TX

Ranger, TX

Romney, TX

Olden, TX

Eastland, TX

Mangum, TX

Baird, TX

Breckenridge, TX

Morton Valley, TX

Albany, TX

Putnam, TX

Cisco, TX

Moran, TX

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