Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cordes Lakes, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive historical record of drug and alcohol intake by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When obtained from near the scalp, hair can provide an approximate detection timeframe of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to collect hair, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch segment, consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp, provides 100mg, which is ideal for initial screening and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler's scale. If head hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. In the context of head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair pertains to all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning refers to the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's database. This step includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid examination for substances of abuse. Screening serves as a cost-effective method to exclude drug use in most samples, yet a positive result requires confirmation to be admissible legally. Samples that exhibit a presumptive positive in Screening need further confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly lower concentration than with other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging technique to implement.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positive outcomes are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug consumption up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection time.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are difficult to manipulate, ensuring higher result accuracy.
• Shows usage history: It reveals patterns of drug consumption over time, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Does not show recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become visible in hair tests.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result discrepancies: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth diversity can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Cordes Lakes, AZ, outshines urine testing by providing unmatched detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, which cover a shorter duration, hair tests offer a clearer, long-term view of substance use. This superior reliability makes hair testing the preferred choice for employers and professionals seeking to enforce stringent no-drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

With an outstanding ability to detect drug use over 90 days, hair follicle testing in Cordes Lakes, AZ, offers employers an extensive insight into an individual's substance habits. This extended window proves invaluable for assessing employees or candidates, ensuring that past drug use does not go unnoticed, thereby enhancing the reliability of the hiring process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Cordes Lakes, AZ, greatly diminishes the chances of adulteration. This testing method upholds the integrity of the results, providing indisputable and trustworthy data. Its secure process establishes a high standard in drug testing, ensuring confidence among employers and professionals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Cordes Lakes, AZ, benefits from extensive national coverage and local convenience through Accredited Drug Testing's network of centers. Our strategically placed locations ensure that testing services are readily accessible, providing a seamless and efficient experience for individuals and organizations seeking reliable drug testing solutions nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results in Cordes Lakes, AZ, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. This ensures that privacy concerns are addressed, and individuals find the procedure simple to navigate, adding to the appeal of hair testing for those valuing discretion and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Cordes Lakes, AZ, delivers exceptional value to businesses of varying scales. These advantages provide cost-effective solutions without compromising quality, ensuring that expedient and precise drug testing is accessible to all, reinforcing fiscal responsibility.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cordes Lakes, AZ, hair follicle drug tests offer quick and precise results, setting a standard for reliability. The efficiency of these tests in detecting substance use is unmatched, ensuring that the results are both detailed and timely. This level of accuracy supports businesses and individuals alike in making well-informed decisions based on thorough substance use analyses.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cordes Lakes, AZ, gain peace of mind through compliance with drug-free workplace policies via hair follicle testing. By reducing legal liabilities and enhancing safety standards, hair testing serves as a bulwark against substance abuse, fortifying a secure and harmonious work environment where productivity and safety are paramount.

Drug Testing Near Cordes Lakes, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Wagoner, AZ

Prescott Valley, AZ

Camp Verde, AZ

Rock Springs, AZ

Dewey-Humboldt, AZ

Black Canyon City, AZ

Mayer, AZ

Bumble Bee, AZ

Cleator, AZ

Humboldt, AZ

Spring Valley, AZ

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews