Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Greer, AZ

What it is, How it works

Regarded as a potent instrument, hair testing is utilized for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a longitudinal record of alcohol along with other substances by embedding biomarkers within its growing strands. Gathered near the scalp, hair is able to reveal up to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and various drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximate thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg, suitable for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advisable. If scalp hair cannot be collected, equivalent body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core laboratory steps involved in processing a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system by confirming that it was sealed and sent correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and recording any extra data not input through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary and efficient method for detecting drug consumption. Though a cost-effective approach for ruling out drugs in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Samples with presumptive positives require follow-up confirmation.

Upon yielding a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is utilized from the sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), rendering hair drug testing the most challenging technique to conduct.

Confirmation of positive screenings utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. Throughout the laboratory stages from Accessioning to Confirmation, procedures comply with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have limited detection periods.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are notably hard to manipulate, thereby ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers usage patterns: It reveals timelines of substance use over months, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other testing approaches.
• Varying results: Individual differences such as hair color and growth rate can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Greer, AZ. Hair testing offers unparalleled detection accuracy over traditional urine tests, providing a more thorough and reliable screening method.

• Extended detection periods for broader substance history insights.
• Accurate and reliable results, reducing false negatives.

In comparison, traditional urine tests can fall short in detecting long-term use, while hair tests capture a wider detection window, making them an excellent choice for comprehensive drug screening in the workplace or legal settings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Greer, AZ. Hair follicle testing is renowned for its ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days, offering a powerful tool for assessing long-term substance use.

• More comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history.
• Extended window surpassing other testing methods.

This extensive detection timeframe provides employers with valuable insights, ensuring a more informed decision-making process in evaluating candidates or employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Greer, AZ. Hair follicle tests offer an unmatchable advantage of reducing adulteration risks drastically, delivering trustworthy results.

• Significantly lowers the chance of sample tampering.
• Ensures that results are incontestable and reliable.

With a collection process that makes cheating nearly impossible, employers and authorities can rest assured that the results reflect true substance use behaviors with high confidence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Greer, AZ. Our extensive network of testing centers is designed for ease of access and convenience, providing nationwide coverage.

• Hassle-free testing at numerous locations feasible.
• Quick access to facilities for minimal disturbance.

With accessibility at its core, our service ensures that clients can effortlessly find a testing location nearby, simplifying the testing process on a larger scale.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Greer, AZ. Our streamlined procedure makes ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results straightforward.

• Privacy maintained throughout the testing process.
• User-friendly experience from start to finish.

By prioritizing confidentiality and simplicity, our services cater to the needs and concerns of users, ensuring that their experience is both secure and uncomplicated.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Greer, AZ. Enjoy our competitive pricing and swift response times, delivering outstanding value.

• Quick results without the hefty cost.
• Economical options suitable for all business sizes.

Our efficient processes ensure that clients receive their results promptly, providing them exceptional service that doesn't break the bank, supporting companies in maintaining effective operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Greer, AZ. Hair follicle drug tests deliver remarkable precision and speed. Their high accuracy in detecting substance use makes them superior, ensuring reliable results almost instantly.

• Immediate detection of substance consumption.
• Superior result accuracy to ensure reliable decisions.

The efficiency of hair testing lies in its ability to rapidly identify drug traces, allowing for timely interventions and informed decision-making. This adds a reliable layer of accuracy that is highly valued in Greer, AZ.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Greer, AZ. Using hair tests ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and boosting safety.

• Helps maintain compliance with necessary regulations.
• Fosters a secure working environment.

Employers benefit from the assurance that their workplaces remain safe, compliant, and free from substance-related incidents, ultimately enhancing overall peace and productivity.

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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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