Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Superior, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding markers within the hair strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, such hair can reveal substance use for up to about three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to alter, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch length comprising around 200 hair strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the perfect quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those above 10 panels, a 150mg amount of hair is advised. It is wise to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is missing, an equivalent portion of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, this pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair (e.g., facial, underarm).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with entering a sample into the laboratory system. Tasks include ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, generating a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and performing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic custody chain.

Screening serves as an initial rapid evaluation for drug use. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, court-bound positive screenings require confirmation. Samples shown as positive during Screening necessitate further verification.

If Screening indicates a sample is positive, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted at a far lower concentration compared to other methods like urine or saliva exams, thus making hair drug testing the most complex method to conduct.

Any positive result in the Screening stage is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Samples showing positive signs are cleaned ahead of confirmation when necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP Hair standards and accreditation with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: The test can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Tampering with a hair drug test is tough, ensuring more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It can track drug use patterns over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Cost: Hair drug testing typically costs more than other drug assessment methods.
• Variations in results: Differences like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examined component is the hair strand, not the hair follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Superior, AZ: Hair drug tests offer a more extensive detection period with greater accuracy than traditional urine assessments, making them a preferred choice.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Superior, AZ: One of the key advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect substances up to 90 days after use, offering a thorough picture of an individual's drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Superior, AZ: Hair follicle tests are less susceptible to tampering, providing secure and verifiable results that are difficult to manipulate.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Superior, AZ: Our extensive network of testing sites ensures easy access to secure and hassle-free testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Superior, AZ: With a straightforward, private procedure, from ordering to receiving results, we keep your information secure and the process clear.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Superior, AZ: We offer competitive rates and rapid result provision, ensuring value and peace of mind for all organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Superior, AZ: Hair follicle drug testing stands out for providing swift and precise results. This method thrives in detecting long-lasting traces of drug use, assuring users a high degree of accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Superior, AZ: Utilizing hair testing helps companies adhere to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal issues and improving 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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