Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Memphis, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample consisting of 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases involved in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the preliminary processing of a sample within a lab’s system. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective strategy to discount drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and made ready for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening represents the most intricate methodology to execute.

Verification of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are cleaned before verification as needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed in line with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the certification to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection range: Hair drug tests can recognize drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a narrower detection range.
• Challenge to tamper: It is substantially challenging to falsify a hair drug test, ensuring higher accuracy of results.
• Delivers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over a period, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses are often more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can impact the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing in Memphis, TX, offers significant advantages over urine tests. Hair tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability, capturing a long-term record of substance use. The extended detection period uncovers usage patterns that urine tests can't.

The main benefit of hair over urine testing lies in its consistency and broader detection window. Employers find hair tests more dependable, leading to more informed decisions during the hiring process or employee evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

With a lengthy detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Memphis, TX, offers a comprehensive assessment of substance history. This method helps employers better understand an individual's long-term drug use behavior.

The ability to identify drug use over an extended period makes hair tests a valuable tool for employers. By examining substance history over months, organizations can effectively assess potential risks and take appropriate actions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Memphis, TX, are designed to reduce the chances of tampering, offering reliable results. The difficulty in modifying hair samples ensures the integrity of the testing process, providing trustworthy outcomes.

The tamper-resistant nature of hair tests makes them a credible choice for drug testing. This feature is critical for maintaining the standards and validity of results, especially in contexts where accuracy is paramount, such as legal or employment settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Across the nation and in Memphis, TX, our widespread testing facilities offer convenience and accessibility. With numerous local centers, clients can easily access our hassle-free drug testing services without delay.

Our strategically located centers ensure that clients have quick and efficient access to hair testing services, removing geographical barriers. This accessibility highlights our commitment to customer convenience and service quality.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and taking a hair test in Memphis, TX, is straightforward and confidential. The process ensures privacy, addressing concerns regarding sensitive information while maintaining user-friendly procedures.

Our streamlined approach ensures confidentiality from testing to results delivery. This simplicity is critical in ensuring comfort and privacy for users, thereby encouraging transparency and trust in the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Memphis, TX, offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising speed and quality. Fast processing times and affordable rates provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes.

Our pricing models are designed to suit corporate budgets, providing rapid turnover at a reasonable cost. This allows companies to maintain drug-free policies without financial strain, facilitating peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Memphis, TX, hair follicle drug testing is known for delivering quick and precise results, ensuring high accuracy in tracking substance usage. The method's speed in providing reliable information makes it a preferred choice for those seeking trustworthy testing services.

Hair tests stand out due to their accuracy and rapid results. The ability to detect a wide range of substances promptly allows stakeholders to make informed, timely decisions about handling drug-related matters.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Memphis, TX, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, reducing legal exposure and improving safety. By adhering to these standards, businesses foster a drug-free environment supportive of productivity and well-being.

Employers gain peace of mind through hair testing, knowing the method adheres to rigorous standards. Such compliance is essential for mitigating risks and reassuring stakeholders about the organization's commitment to a safe workplace.

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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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