Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jolly, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair trap biomarkers, providing a retrospective of substance use over time. Collected close to the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, adulteration is challenging, and shipping is convenient.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg, which is ideal for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a proportional amount of body hair can be utilized. Head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key phases in processing a drug test in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage of integrating a sample into a lab's system. It involves confirming the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary check for drugs. It is an economical way to dismiss drug use in most samples; however, a positive result in Screening must be confirmed for legal validity. Any samples testing positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample turns positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for further preparation in Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most complex to execute.

Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before Confirmation if necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation standards ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair tests can reveal drug use history up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests with shorter windows.
• Difficulty to cheat: The nature of hair drug testing makes it difficult to manipulate results, enhancing accuracy.
• Provides historical data: Hair tests can show a timeline of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair tests typically incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Variability in results: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can affect drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Trumps Urine Testing in Jolly, TX
Hair testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. The method enables the identification of drug usage over an extended period, ensuring more thorough and dependable results that can assist employers in reinforcing drug-free environments.

Extended Detection Window

Prolonged Detection Period in Jolly, TX
Hair follicle assessments are advantageous as they detect drug use over a prolonged duration of up to 90 days. This feature provides employers a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance usage history, contributing to more informed hiring and employment retention strategies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Procedures in Jolly, TX
Hair follicle testing significantly mitigates risks associated with sample interference. This ensures that the test results are dependable and free from manipulation, delivering certainty in an area where accuracy is crucial.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Sites Nationwide and Locally in Jolly, TX
Our widespread testing centers offer convenience, providing easy and prompt access to drug testing services. This nationwide presence guarantees that our clients can obtain necessary testing without the hassle of extensive travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

Straightforward and Private Process in Jolly, TX
The process for ordering and obtaining hair follicle drug test results is simple and discreet, ensuring privacy. This user-friendly system addresses privacy concerns, making the testing procedure worry-free for all participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Rapid Results in Jolly, TX
We offer hair follicle testing with affordable rates and swift results, providing exceptional value. Our services cater to companies of various sizes, guaranteeing a cost-effective solution without compromising on quality and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Swift and Dependable Outcomes in Jolly, TX
Hair follicle drug assessments are known for providing results both quickly and accurately. This method excels in detecting substance use with high precision, ensuring that employers receive reliable information about an individual's drug history, thus facilitating informed decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Assured Compliance and Confidence for Employers in Jolly, TX
Adopting hair follicle tests ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, reducing legal challenges and enhancing safety. Employers gain assurance knowing they have implemented a reliable and comprehensive drug screening approach.

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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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