Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mormon Lake, AZ

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair strands encapsulate a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, it can offer roughly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, although it's somewhat resistant to tampering, and it can be transported with ease.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or beyond 10 panels, a specimen amounting to 150mg is advisable. It's suggested that a jeweler's scale be used for weighing the specimen. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it implies scalp hair alone, whereas body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially entering the sample into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data input necessary that isn’t covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary sweep for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-effective measure to gauge drug use across many samples, a positive screen still requires confirmation for legal validity. Any samples that show potential positive results in Screening need further confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive finding during Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which adds to the complexity of hair drug screening.

The Confirmation step for positive results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo a washing process as part of this confirmation phase. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to manipulation: The test's robustness to cheating attempts ensures more reliable results.
• Patterns of use: It outlines a sequential history of drug consumption over time rather than capturing only recent use.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for detecting recent use: Detectability in hair takes about 5-7 days after drug use.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests incur higher costs than other testing types.
• Variability in outcomes: Variations in hair attributes like color and individual growth can impact drug metabolite concentration levels.

Note: Despite being often termed "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In comparison to the traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Mormon Lake, AZ provides enhanced detection accuracy. Its broad detection range ensures that substance use over a longer period is identified, offering a dependable alternative.

While urine tests are common, they fall short in detecting drugs beyond recent use. Hair testing outshines with its extended window and reliability in capturing a complete substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing significantly benefits employers in Mormon Lake, AZ by revealing drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window offers a clearer understanding of an individual's substance history.

Employers benefit from the comprehensive insight that hair testing provides, as it captures drug use well beyond the limitations of shorter-detection methods like urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The robust nature of hair follicle testing in Mormon Lake, AZ makes it a trusted choice due to its resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, hair samples are collected and processed in a way that diminishes the potential for manipulation.

This testing method’s integrity ensures that employers receive authoritative and indisputable results, contributing to a drug-free workplace.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Mormon Lake, AZ benefits from Accredited Drug Testing’s widespread network of testing facilities, providing convenient and seamless testing experiences. Access to our centers nationwide assures timely and efficient service.

Local and national testing sites are strategically positioned to facilitate easy access, reducing delays and enhancing client satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Mormon Lake, AZ is streamlined to ensure simplicity and confidentiality. Clients can easily schedule tests while being assured of their privacy throughout every step.

From test ordering to receiving results, our process protects your privacy while ensuring ease of use and prompt communication.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitively priced hair follicle testing in Mormon Lake, AZ with quick turnaround times. This cost-effective service delivers exceptional value for businesses regardless of size.

Our pricing model ensures accessibility, while rapid delivery of test outcomes keeps companies informed and ahead in their operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Mormon Lake, AZ delivers rapid and reliable results. These tests are highly accurate, identifying substance use through a method that minimizes errors and offers prompt outcomes.

The efficiency of hair testing lies in its advanced detection capabilities, ensuring swift yet meticulous analysis that stands apart from inferior testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing ensures that companies in Mormon Lake, AZ remain compliant with drug-free policies while mitigating legal risks. It fosters a safer working environment by upholding stringent substance use standards.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing that their drug testing strategy is founded on reliable and highly accurate hair analysis results.

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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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