Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hillside, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust technique for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug consumption by preserving biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for both alcohol and various drugs. Hair sampling is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprised of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is suggested to obtain 150mg of specimen. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement of the sample. If scalp hair is insufficient, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes other varieties such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the initial step of entering a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any additional data requirements that an electronic chain of custody system may lack.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. While being cost-efficient for excluding drug use across most samples, a positive result in Screening must be validated to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive require further confirmation.

For samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than seen in other tests (like urine or saliva), adding to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples testing as presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as appropriate. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to the shorter detection range of urine tests.
• Challenge to deceive: Manipulating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data: It offers an overview of drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Hillside, AZ, presents significant advantages. It boasts superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it a trusted choice for many. Employers and agencies prefer hair tests for their long detection window and resistance to tampering, offering a robust alternative to urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Hillside, AZ, unveils drug use over an extended duration, up to 90 days. This prolonged detection window provides employers with a comprehensive view of one's substance history. It’s invaluable for making informed decisions about potential or current employees’ drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Hillside, AZ, offer a tamper-resistant methodology. They significantly diminish the risk of sample manipulation, ensuring results are both reliable and indisputable. This method stands out for its capability to detect substances without the pitfalls of tampering and adulteration present in other testing forms.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Hillside, AZ, accessing our services is straightforward. This network ensures quick, easy, and hassle-free testing, catering to both local and national needs. Opt for our services for the benefit of abundant, accessible testing points.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hillside, AZ, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, administering, and receiving results are streamlined to address privacy and ease concerns. The straightforward nature of this process makes it ideal for those requiring confidentiality and simplicity in testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Hillside, AZ, is both affordably priced and quick in turnaround. The competitive pricing structure ensures value for all company sizes. Combine budget-friendly costs with fast processing times, and you have a service offering excellent value and timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Hillside, AZ, offers fast and accurate results. This method excels in precision and speed, providing reliable data on substance use. By analyzing traces in hair, this test ensures high accuracy, crucial for employers needing dependable outcomes. Choose hair testing for confidence in fast and trustworthy results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hillside, AZ, find hair follicle testing crucial for maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By utilizing this method, they reduce legal risks and enhance safety across the work environment. The reassurance provided by this testing option brings peace of mind and security in adherence to regulations.

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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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