Hair Follicle Drug Testing - El Mirage, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has evolved into a robust mechanism for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the structure of the expanding hair strand, hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs. When collected near the scalp, hair can present approximately a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluation and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It's suggested to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair may be obtained. When indicating head hair, it specifically relates to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test result in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of the sample into a lab's system. This process confirms that the sample was appropriately sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and incorporates any supplementary data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial prompt evaluation for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical solution to negate drug consumption in most samples, any positive screen must be corroborated to be valid in legal contexts. Samples that test positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which underlines why hair drug screening is the most intricate technique to conduct.

Verification of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and in conformity with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug intake for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: It is quite challenging to fiddle with a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Supplies historical insights: It can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in El Mirage, AZ

• Hair tests offer longer detection windows compared to urine tests.
• They provide a more accurate reading of long-term drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in El Mirage, AZ

• Hair follicle tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days.
• This extended period allows employers to make informed decisions based on a person's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in El Mirage, AZ

• Hair tests are hard to tamper with, providing more reliable results.
• The integrity of the sample is maintained, ensuring unquestionable findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in El Mirage, AZ

• Our testing centers are available nationwide for easy access.
• El Mirage residents can quickly find and utilize these testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in El Mirage, AZ

• The hair testing process is designed to be easy and private.
• Participants are assured of confidentiality from order to result receipt.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in El Mirage, AZ

• Our competitive pricing ensures excellent value.
• Fast turnaround times accommodate the needs of businesses of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in El Mirage, AZ

• Hair follicle tests provide fast and highly precise results, crucial for detecting substance use accurately.
• The quick analysis ensures timely results, making it ideal for urgent screenings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in El Mirage, AZ

• Using hair tests ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces legal risks and enhances safety in the 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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