Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sevenmile, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair keeps a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the strands as they grow. When samples are taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to send.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, which is perfect for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests involving more than 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is preferred. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be used, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. While referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair covers all other types such as facial, axillary, and more.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the stage where the sample first enters a laboratory system. It includes ensuring the sample is sealed and sent correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing additional data entries absent in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs a preliminary quick check for drug compounds. Though cost-efficient to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening result must be confirmed to hold up in legal settings. Samples with presumptive positive screening outcomes must undergo an additional confirmation test.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further preparation in Extraction. This step involves extracting drugs from hair at a lower concentration compared to other techniques (like urine or saliva), which makes hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies.

Positive results in screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Every presumptive positive sample is properly washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and comes under the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests provide evidence of drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter timeframe.
• Challenging to deceive: It’s notably challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical analysis: They can chart drug usage over a span, not merely signifying recent usage.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for recent use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing is costlier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair samples.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually evaluate the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outweighs urine testing in Sevenmile, AZ for several reasons. The superior detection accuracy of hair tests ensures a more reliable identification of drug use. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests offer enhanced reliability in results, catering to the need for precise drug detection and sustaining zero-tolerance environments effectively.

Extended Detection Window

In Sevenmile, AZ, hair follicle testing gives unparalleled insights due to its extended detection window. Capable of revealing drug use over a span of up to 90 days, this expansive timeframe offers employers a thorough perspective of an individual's drug history. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of substance use beyond recent testing limitations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant quality of hair follicle testing in Sevenmile, AZ is significant. By considerably reducing the chance of sample manipulation, these tests provide results that are both reliable and indisputable. This method's resistance to tampering makes it a steadfast choice for ensuring the accuracy and trustworthiness of drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers, including those in Sevenmile, AZ, offers convenient testing locations. With readily accessible services, testing becomes a straightforward experience, minimizing hassle for all participants. Quick and easy access to testing enhances the overall efficiency of the drug testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Sevenmile, AZ is designed to be both simple and confidential. From ordering to testing, and finally receiving results, every step is handled with utmost privacy, ensuring peace of mind for clients. This streamlined approach addresses any concerns regarding the ease and confidentiality of the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing strategy in Sevenmile, AZ emphasizes affordability and rapid response times. Offering competitive rates without compromising on quality, our services deliver exceptional value to companies of various sizes. The quick turnaround times further enhance this value, ensuring decisions can be made swiftly and efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Sevenmile, AZ, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its fast and accurate results. These tests boast high precision in detecting substance usage and deliver results rapidly, ensuring timely decisions for employers and individuals alike. The robust methodology of hair testing not only provides reliability but also quick results, making it a preferable choice for efficient substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Sevenmile, AZ can rely on hair follicle testing for compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to workplace drug-free standards, these tests mitigate legal risks and bolster workplace safety. Hair follicle tests ensure adherence to regulations, allowing employers to confidently maintain a drug-free 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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