Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chambers, AZ

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the strand as it grows. When procured close to the scalp, hair can reveal a time span of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drug detection. Hair is uncomplicated to gather, relatively hard to fake, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising around 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, supplements, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a recommendation of 150mg is made. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measurement is advised. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be taken. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the lab processing of drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample in a lab’s system. It entails checking the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in optional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an immediate assessment for substance abuse. It is a cost-efficient approach to discount drug consumption in most samples, though a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples marking presumptive positives in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is retrieved from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed by GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples with presumed positives undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• High resistance to manipulation: Hair drug tests are notoriously difficult to cheat, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Reveals historical usage: It can chart a sequence of drug use over time, beyond merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically more costly than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the actual examination involves the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering drug testing accuracy in Chambers, AZ, hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests.

The reliability of hair tests is favored by many due to their comprehensive nature in identifying substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Chambers, AZ boasts an extended detection window, capable of revealing drug use for up to 90 days.

This comprehensive view assists employers in better understanding an employee's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Chambers, AZ, hair follicle tests are known for their tamper-resistant nature, minimizing the possibility of sample adulteration.

These reliable tests prevent unquestionable results, ensuring authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide locations, including Chambers, AZ, for quick and hassle-free access to testing services.

Whether local or elsewhere, our testing centers ensure accessibility and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Chambers, AZ, we offer a simple and confidential drug testing process, from ordering to receiving results.

Our approach addresses privacy concerns, ensuring ease of use for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Chambers, AZ ensures affordable solutions for drug testing.

Coupled with fast turnaround times, we provide value and peace of mind for businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Chambers, AZ are renowned for their precision and accuracy. They are not only swift in delivering results but also ensure reliable detection of substance use.

Fast turnaround without compromising accuracy is a hallmark of these tests, making them an ideal choice for employers.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Chambers, AZ, adopting hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, enhancing peace of mind.

Such testing helps in reducing legal risks and promotes a safe work environment.

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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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