Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kerens, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug use. Through embedding biomarkers within its fibers, hair offers an extended timeline of when drugs and alcohol were used. By collecting hair near the scalp, it can reveal usage from nearly three months prior. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to alter, and convenient for transportation.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil's diameter), will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for testing. For additional tests or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair isn’t available, body hair in an equivalent amount can be used. References to head hair mean scalp hair exclusively. Other hairs (facial, axillary, etc.) are termed body hair.

Process Overview

The four primary steps in a lab’s drug test processing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about initially processing a sample into the laboratory's systems. It ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and completes any additional recordkeeping not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a quick check for drugs. Though a cost-effective method to rule out drugs in most samples, any positive must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positives during Screening need a secondary check.

For samples that appear positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for further Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods like urine, making it the most challenging drug testing method.

Upon having a positive result in Screening, Confirmation is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before Confirmation, all samples that tested presumptive positive are cleaned as required. The laboratory process, right from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is evaluated under not only the CAP Hair label but also the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace drug consumption for as much as 90 days—contrary to urine analyses with shorter detection spans.
• Challenges in cheating: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, ensuring a higher accuracy in results.
• Historical insight: It offers a historical view of drug usage patterns, beyond mere current consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent detection: It typically takes around 5-7 days for drug residues to appear in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug testing usually costs more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal growth differences can alter drug metabolite levels within hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", this analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Kerens, TX

Hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests. They uncover substance use over a longer period, making it difficult to evade detection.

Employers find hair testing more effective for maintaining strict drug policies, providing a more comprehensive review of an individual's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kerens, TX

Hair follicle testing stands out with its extended detection window, up to 90 days, offering a full overview of an individual’s drug use history. This is particularly beneficial for employers looking to understand long-term habits.

Such testing extends beyond immediate detection, painting a broader picture of substance use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kerens, TX

The integrity of hair follicle testing is unmatched, significantly reducing the potential for sample tampering. This method offers unquestionable results, ensuring confidence in the outcome.

Employers and legal entities prefer this approach for its ability to maintain strict testing protocols and detect even the slightest attempt to alter results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Kerens, TX

Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access to numerous testing centers nationwide, including local facilities in Kerens, TX. This network ensures quick and convenient testing services for all clients.

Employers and individuals can benefit from hassle-free scheduling and prompt service at any of our locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kerens, TX

Our process is straightforward and maintains confidentiality throughout. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are easy steps, ensuring customer privacy is a top priority.

Individuals can take comfort in knowing their information is secure, allowing them to focus on obtaining essential results without concerns about data breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kerens, TX

We provide competitive pricing structures and speedy turnaround times, delivering excellent value for companies of any size. Efficient operations ensure results are delivered promptly to our clients.

This makes hair follicle testing a cost-effective solution for maintaining workplace standards and safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Kerens, TX, hair follicle drug tests are known for their swift, accurate, and dependable detection of drug use. They boast a high level of precision, outmatching traditional methods in identifying substance use.

The process ensures fast results, enabling quick decision-making for both employers and individuals. This efficiency is crucial in cases where timely intervention is necessary.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kerens, TX

Using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. Employers can enjoy peace of mind knowing their workplace adheres to these standards.

Consistent testing leads to safer environments and upholds a company’s reputation.

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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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