Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Canyon Diablo, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a potent method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a long-term account of these substances by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol presence up to roughly a 3-month timeframe. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample containing around 200 hair strands (about the size of a number 2 pencil) nearest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. Utilizing a jewelry scale is recommended for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. Reference to head hair implies only scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four fundamental stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with integrating a sample into the lab's system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid test for substances of abuse. While Screening economically discards drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples preliminarily positive in Screening demand a secondary confirmation.

Samples preliminarily identified as positive during the Screening phase have additional hair extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction process. In this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation for positive screening outcomes is completed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples presumptively positive undergo a wash before confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire laboratory process is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug analyses can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection scope.
• Challenging to falsify: It's extremely difficult to falsify a hair drug analysis, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage information: Offers a timeline of drug consumption over an extended period, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug analyses are pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration within the hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing emerges as the superior choice in drug testing in Canyon Diablo, AZ, triumphing over urine tests.
Benefits of Hair Testing:

• Longer detection window of up to 90 days
• Increased accuracy and reliability
• Harder to tamper with results

Extended Detection Window

In Canyon Diablo, AZ, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection period for drug usage, reaching up to 90 days. This longer timeline allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's substance history.
Employers value the insight these tests offer, enabling informed decisions about their workforce.

The extended detection window makes hair tests a preferred method for workplace drug screening across various sectors.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Canyon Diablo, AZ, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing offers unparalleled reliability. Significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests yield credible results that withstand scrutiny.
Employers and legal professionals alike value hair tests for their ability to deliver unquestionable outcomes, providing peace of mind in verifying substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, including those in Canyon Diablo, AZ, accessing drug testing services is simple and hassle-free. Our strategically located facilities offer quick and easy access for employers and individuals.
These centers ensure that drug testing is seamless, empowering organizations to implement effective screening processes effortlessly. Convenience meets accessibility for optimal client satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Canyon Diablo, AZ, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, addressing concerns of privacy and ease of use. From ordering to receiving results, the entire process is designed to be straightforward and secure.
Individuals benefit from the seamless approach, ensuring their privacy is respected while obtaining accurate and timely results. This simplicity makes hair testing an attractive option for many.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing provides affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing in Canyon Diablo, AZ. Our competitive pricing structures offer excellent value, catering to companies of all sizes.
Quick and reliable processing ensures results are delivered efficiently, granting peace of mind and confidence.

Clients appreciate our cost-effective solutions, highlighting our commitment to quality and affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Canyon Diablo, AZ, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their unparalleled precision and speed. These assessments deliver high accuracy in substance detection, ensuring reliable results. Their efficiency in identifying drug use surpasses traditional methods.
Thanks to their swift processing and reliable outcomes, hair tests are a preferred choice in the area.

Clients benefit from fast turnaround times, assuring quick insights into the substance use of individuals tested.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Canyon Diablo, AZ, find compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. These tests help enforce drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety.
By implementing hair testing, companies ensure adherence to guidelines, fostering a secure and responsible work environment for all employees.

This method supports maintaining a productive workplace, backed by reliable, comprehensive testing.

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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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