Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pinon, AZ

What it is, How it works

Recognized as a significant method, hair testing reveals drug and alcohol consumption through the retrospective analysis of biomarkers deposited in hair strands. When hair is taken near the scalp, it serves as an indicator for drug and alcohol use for as long as three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimum for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is ideal. Using a jeweler's scale is advisable for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair is sufficient. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves these primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about integrating a sample into the laboratory's system, confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing data inputs not recorded by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary examination for common drugs. While Screening is an economical approach that eliminates most samples from suspicion, any positive findings necessitate further validation to be admissible in legal proceedings. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening mandate corroborative testing.

For samples flagged as presumptively positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a notably low concentration, which sets hair drug testing apart as the most complex testing technique compared to methods like urine or oral fluid testing.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation if required. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests ascertain drug intake for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are hard to manipulate, enhancing result reliability.
• Chronological information: It traces drug use patterns over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Undetectable recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examination actually scrutinizes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Pinon, AZ

The advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are significant. Hair tests boast a longer detection period and greater reliability. They provide superior accuracy, making it challenging for individuals to tamper with or evade detection, thus ensuring a cleaner workplace environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Pinon, AZ

One of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended timeframe. Providing a 90-day window for detecting substances allows for a thorough evaluation of an individual's drug history, giving employers a clearer picture.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Pinon, AZ

Hair follicle tests greatly minimize the risk of sample adulteration, offering results that are trustworthy and definitive. This method significantly reduces the chances of tampering, allaying any doubts about the integrity of the testing outcome.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Pinon, AZ

With a network of testing centers nationwide, accessing drug testing services is quick and straightforward for residents in Pinon, AZ. Our widespread availability ensures that testing is hassle-free and readily accessible wherever required.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Pinon, AZ

Our hair follicle drug testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy is maintained throughout, ensuring comfort and ease of use for all participants involved in the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Pinon, AZ

We offer competitive pricing structures that ensure excellent value for money. Coupled with fast turnaround times, our services provide peace of mind for companies of any size, balancing affordability with swift, accurate results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Pinon, AZ

Hair follicle drug testing offers unmatched precision and speed for detecting substance use. With advanced technology, results are delivered swiftly, ensuring high accuracy and reliability. This method provides invaluable assurances to employers seeking clear insights into an individual's substance history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Pinon, AZ

Employing hair follicle testing enables firms to uphold workplace drug-free policies effectively. The reliability of this testing method reduces legal liabilities and fosters a safe working environment, providing both assurance and compliance.

Drug Testing Near Pinon, AZ

Hotevilla-Bacavi, AZ

Hotevilla, AZ

Kykotsmovi Village, AZ

Bacavi, AZ

Second Mesa, AZ

Shongopovi, AZ

Jeddito, AZ

Salina, AZ

First Mesa, AZ

Polacca, AZ

Keams Canyon, AZ

Low Mountain, AZ

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews