Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kino Springs, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a notable means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extensive history of substance usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair may extend a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp is required to acquire 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both assessment and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair might be used. By head hair, we mean solely the scalp hair. The term body hair pertains to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal four stages within the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This step encompasses confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises a preliminary swift inspection for illicit drugs. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in the bulk of samples, any positive findings must be confirmed to be admissible in legal scenarios. Samples that test positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample records as presumptively positive in the Screening phase, further hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from the hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the toughest methodology to undertake.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash prior to confirmation, as necessary. The complete laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review based on the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can identify substance use for as long as 90 days, in comparison to urine tests that have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficult to falsify: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical information: It can reflect a usage trend over an extended duration, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent usage: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically pricier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Influences like hair color and person-specific differences in hair growth might alter the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Though frequently labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Kino Springs, AZ provides substantial advantages over urine tests. With its unparalleled detection and reliability, it far surpasses traditional urine testing. Hair tests reveal a longer history of substance use, providing an in-depth, accurate portrayal of drug use patterns, and help in enforcing stringent drug policies efficiently and effectively.

Extended Detection Window

One of the major advantages of hair follicle testing in Kino Springs, AZ is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This long detection window empowers employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of potential employees' or current staff's drug history, promoting informed staffing decisions and maintaining a safe, responsible workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Kino Springs, AZ, hair follicle tests minimize the risk of tampering, offering results that stand up to scrutiny. Unlike urine tests, which can be easily influenced, hair tests deliver a tamper-proof method ensuring that the integrity of the testing process is upheld, protecting its results from adulteration and giving employers irrefutable evidence of drug use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key for businesses in Kino Springs, AZ, with Accredited Drug Testing offering nationwide and local testing facilities. Assuring easy access, our widespread network of centers delivers efficient testing services without the hassles, streamlining the process for clients and offering a seamless experience across various locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Kino Springs, AZ, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From the moment of order, through taking the sample to receiving results, clients can count on a process that prioritizes privacy and ease of use. Assurances of discretion and simplicity help address potential concerns from testing participants, ensuring smooth participation.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Kino Springs, AZ boast not only competitive pricing but also fast turnaround times, making them an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes seeking valuable drug testing solutions. The combination of affordability and quick results ensures that all companies can maintain drug-free protocols while managing their budgets effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Kino Springs, AZ, hair follicle drug tests provide results that are quick, precise, and trustworthy. The method's high accuracy ensures that even the slightest trace of substance use is detected with fidelity. This efficiency makes them an essential tool for clients needing reliable results in short timeframes, ensuring all decision-making on substance use is based on dependable data.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Kino Springs, AZ supports employers' goals for maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies. It diminishes legal risks and contributes to a safer work environment. Employers gain peace of mind knowing that adopting hair testing protocols reduces drug-related issues while ensuring compliance and enhancing company image.

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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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