Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Reservation, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a long-term record of substance use by holding biomarkers within the strands’ fibers. When taken near the scalp, it can offer around a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A specimen length of 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 hairs (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both initial and confirmation testing. For EtG testing or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of specimen is advised. It is recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When referencing head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test samples involves four essential stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary procedure where a sample is integrated into the laboratory’s system. This process ensures the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-efficient for filtering out drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening must be confirmed to be valid in legal situations. Therefore, any samples that indicate a positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

In instances of a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. In this stage, substances are drawn out from the hair at a significantly lower concentration level than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which highlights the complexity of hair drug screening as a methodology.

Positive findings in the Screening stage subsequently undergo Confirmation through methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive undergo a washing step before Confirmation as necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to the ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for as long as 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: The difficulty in manipulating hair drug tests leads to more precise results.
• Reveals historical patterns: The test can illustrate a timeline of substance use over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for recent use detection: It generally takes about 5-7 days for substances to be identifiable in hair.
• Higher costs: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to alternative drug-testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the levels of drug metabolites present.

Note: While sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes 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 Reservation, AZ

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing shines in both detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests detect recent substance use, hair tests cover up to 90 days, offering a broader view of one's drug habits.

Extended Detection Window

In Reservation, AZ, hair follicle tests offer a superior detection window, revealing drug use history for up to 90 days. This extended reach allows employers to get thorough insights into someone's substance use past, ensuring informed hiring decisions and maintaining workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The robust nature of hair follicle tests in Reservation, AZ, significantly reduces the likelihood of sample tampering. This method offers reliable and unquestionable results, assuring both employers and individuals of the test's integrity and security against adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Benefit from the convenience of nationwide testing locations, including in Reservation, AZ. Our extensive network ensures access to hassle-free drug testing services, allowing individuals and employers to seamlessly meet their testing commitments anytime.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Reservation, AZ is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process respects privacy, offering ease of use for both individuals and companies while maintaining high standards of confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive prices and swift turnaround, hair follicle testing in Reservation, AZ offers exceptional value. Companies of all sizes can take advantage of affordable options without compromising on the speed or quality of results, ensuring accuracy and reliability in every test.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Delivering both speed and precision, hair follicle drug tests in Reservation, AZ, stand out by efficiently identifying substance use with high accuracy. This method provides fast and reliable results, making it preferable for those seeking quick confirmations on drug history without worrying about inaccuracies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Reservation, AZ, benefit from peace of mind and compliance with drug-free policies by choosing hair follicle testing. This method not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances workplace safety, ensuring a healthy and responsible work environment.

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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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