Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Colorado, AK

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

3 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Colorado

Minutes Away, Test Today

Usibell Spur Rd Tvcc40.20 miles

Usibell Spur Rd Tvcc
Healy, AK 99743

Tri-valley Community Center Healy Access40.20 miles

Tri-valley Community Center Healy Access
Healy, AK 99743

Mm 238 Parks Hwy49.50 miles

Mm 238 Parks Hwy
Healy, AK 99743

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing offers comprehensive hair follicle drug screening services in Colorado and Alaska. For those in need of a hair drug or alcohol screening, Accredited Drug Testing excels in hair assessments and operates centers nationwide, ready to conduct hair tests. Typically, 1.5 to 2 inches of head or body hair are needed for analysis. Hair assessments can detect drugs, alcohol/ETG, and other customized testing requirements.

In recent times, the option for drug assessments increasingly involves hair follicle testing. A growing number of employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse experts prefer hair drug tests to standard urine tests. These tests are favored by employers with stringent zero-tolerance drug policies, judicial authorities, and individuals on probation. A key advantage of hair follicle testing is its significantly extended detection period for substance use, reaching up to 90 days, conducted under supervision, and virtually fraud-proof. However, urine tests remain the most precise for drug use detection within the preceding five days.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a strong method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by incorporating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can offer a detection window of roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 strands of hair (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processes a drug test result through four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's records. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and sent, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any further data input not offered by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.

Screening performs an initial, swift assessment for drug presence. Though Screening is a cost-effective approach to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legality in court. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples that are presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at a much reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening takes place using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive examples are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for as long as 90 days, compared to shorter detection periods in urine tests.
  • Hard to manipulate: A hair drug test is tough to deceive, thus providing more reliable results.
  • Offers usage history: It supplies a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

  • Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair within approximately 5-7 days.
  • Expense: Hair drug testing generally costs more than other methods.
  • Inconsistent results: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Important: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle itself beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle screening over urine tests are evident across Colorado and AK. Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, revealing substance use that may be missed by conventional methods.
Hair screenings are less invasive and provide robust results that are reliable for employers and legal bodies, making them a preferred choice where accuracy is paramount.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Colorado, AK, provides an extensive detection window, uncovering drug use over 90 days. Employers benefit from this prolonged monitoring as it delivers a thorough overview of an individual's substance history.
This method enables companies to evaluate the long-term patterns of substance use, offering an insightful resource for employer assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Colorado and AK are designed to be tamper-resistant, ensuring the integrity of the results. The unique properties of hair samples minimize risks of adulteration or substitution, making cheating efforts futile.
This makes hair testing a reliable choice for organizations seeking reliable forensic monitoring.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing facilities nationwide, including in Colorado, AK, accessing hair follicle testing couldn’t be more convenient. Our strategically positioned centers allow individuals and companies to benefit from efficient service, eliminating unnecessary hurdles.
Local sites in Colorado facilitate swift and hassle-free testing experiences for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Colorado and AK maintains a simple yet confidential nature, ensuring privacy at every step.
Ordering and receiving results is streamlined for convenience, addressing privacy concerns effectively while delivering fast, accurate results that users can rely on.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Colorado and AK, enjoy the benefit of affordable pricing structures paired with rapid turnaround times in hair follicle testing. This package guarantees excellent value, making it a viable option for businesses of all scales without compromising quality or speed.
Competitive rates translate to economic advantages, aligning with budgetary considerations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Colorado and Alaska, the hair follicle drug test stands out for its speed and accuracy. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests deliver results swiftly while ensuring precision in identifying substance use.
The efficiency of hair analyses translates into prompt results, meeting the needs of businesses determined to make informed decisions swiftly. With cutting-edge technology, these tests uphold a superior standard of precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers achieve peace of mind and regulatory compliance in Colorado and AK through hair follicle testing. This approach supports drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal exposures and enhancing workforce safety.
In embracing hair tests, companies affirm their commitment to a safe, drug-free employment environment, reinforcing trust and security.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

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