Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cane Beds, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended timeline of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window for alcohol and other drugs of up to an estimated 3 months. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and conveniently shipped.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hairs (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we are exclusively referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, and so forth).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of processing a sample into a lab’s system. This procedure involves ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry that isn't automatically handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a confirmatory test.

When a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening as a methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumptive positive are prepped, including being washed if required, before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection windows.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are extremely difficult to manipulate, ensuring result accuracy.
• Historical pattern: This method can reveal a timeline of drug usage over an extended period rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days post-use to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically more costly than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Differences in hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure scrutinizes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cane Beds, AZ, hair follicle testing presents several advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair tests provide a longer detection window and greater accuracy, capturing a more detailed substance history. They're less prone to tampering and provide superior reliability, offering employers more confidence in their hiring and monitoring practices.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Cane Beds, AZ, offer an extended detection window reaching up to 90 days. This period allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history. Such comprehensive insight aids in informed decision-making processes when assessing current employees or potential hires.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Cane Beds, AZ, hair follicle tests stand out as a tamper-resistant method. Unlike other testing types, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring results that are dependable and trustworthy. This method significantly reduces the risk of manipulation, providing clear, accurate results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Cane Beds, AZ, our vast network of testing centers across the nation ensures easy and seamless access to our services. The convenience of local and nationwide locations allows for fast and stress-free testing, catering to varying needs without causing disruptions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Cane Beds, AZ, is straightforward and confidential. From ordering tests to taking them and receiving results, the procedure is designed with ease and privacy in mind, addressing concerns and enhancing user comfort throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures in Cane Beds, AZ, hair follicle testing provides exceptional value. Coupled with fast turnaround times, our services offer businesses an affordable solution without compromising on quality or speed, fitting companies of any size comfortably.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle tests in Cane Beds, AZ, make them invaluable. Compared to other testing methods, hair tests offer high levels of accuracy in identifying substances. This method not only provides quick results but also ensures they are reliable, making hair testing a preferred choice for urgent and exact substance use detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Cane Beds, AZ, aids employers by offering compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces potential legal liabilities and bolsters safety in the workplace, providing organizations with peace of mind and safeguarding their operational integrity.

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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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