Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rio Rico Southwest, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a key method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Trapping biomarkers within the fiber of the growing hair strand offers a long-term record of alcohol and other drug ingestion. Hair strands collected near the scalp can reveal drug and alcohol use for a window of up to three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and easily shippable.

A 1.5-inch segment containing about 200 hair strands (approximately matching the girth of a #2 pencil) taken from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, suitable for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional testing, or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to measure the hair weight. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, an equivalent portion of body hair is acceptable. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning begins the process by entering a sample into the lab's information system. This step includes confirming the sample's seal and delivery method, issuing a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional data required beyond what an electronic chain of custody system provides.

Screening provides a preliminary analysis to detect drug presence. Though cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal purposes. Any samples classified as presumptive positives in Screening require further verification through secondary confirmation methods.

Presumptive positive samples in Screening will have additional hair extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. This phase retrieves drugs from hair in lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a complex methodology.

To affirm any positive screening, tests are conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing if necessary before confirmation. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation standards set by ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
• Difficult to tamper with: Hair drug tests are harder to deceive, making the findings more reliable.
• Tracks historical usage: They reveal patterns of drug use over time, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other drug test methods.
• Result variability: Characteristics like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle under the skin

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, stands superior. Hair tests boast a longer detection window and greater accuracy. While urine may detect recent substance use, hair analysis offers a comprehensive look at usage patterns, providing employers with more substantial insights into an individual's history, making it a favored choice.

Extended Detection Window

Offering an extended detection period, hair follicle testing in Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, allows employers to gain insights into drug use history spanning up to 90 days. This expansive timeframe gives an enriched view into a person's substance habits. Unlike other methods, it highlights long-term patterns which are essential for making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, hair follicle testing is revered for its resistance to tampering. Notoriously difficult to alter, this method ensures authenticity. By minimizing the risk of sample tampering, it delivers results that are both trustworthy and definitive, providing stakeholders with a dependable drug testing solution.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, with accessible testing locations nationwide. Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous centers for streamlined drug testing services. The extensive availability guarantees hassle-free procedures, ensuring ease for both employers and individuals seeking comprehensive and swift substance analysis.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing in Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, ensures a process that is both simple and discreet. From ordering to results, the confidentiality is assured. This streamlined procedure eases any concerns about privacy, reaffirming the commitment to user-friendly and secure drug testing experiences for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, competitive pricing coupled with rapid turnaround defines the hair follicle testing experience. Reasonable costs without sacrificing speed offers companies great value. Ensuring that firms, regardless of size, receive the quality and reliability they require, this affordability paired with swift results marks an irresistible option.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, the efficiency of hair follicle drug tests is paramount. These tests deliver results that are not only fast but highly reliable. From detecting a range of substances with precision to offering expedited results, they ensure accuracy that complements their speed. When timelines are critical, this method stands out, providing answers swiftly and effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Rio Rico Southwest, AZ, find solace in using hair follicle tests. These evaluations uphold workplace drug-free standards effectively. Ensuring compliance and minimizing legal concerns, they foster a safer work environment, bringing peace of mind to businesses aiming for uncompromised productivity and safety.

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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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