Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Theba, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is highly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, is somewhat tamper-proof, and can be easily transported.

A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This entails checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not addressed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive screens must be validated to be legally permissible. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If Screening yields a presumptive positive, additional hair is taken from the primary sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at a substantially lower concentration than is typical with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex technique to execute.

The Confirmation of any positive screen result is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation, as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect usage of drugs for a duration of up to 90 days, compared to the shorter window of urine tests.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are notably difficult to tamper with, leading to more precise results.
• Offers trend analysis: Offers insight into a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days before they are observable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other drug testing strategies.
• Variable results: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth can impact the levels of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: While commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually performed on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Theba, AZ, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine testing in several ways. Detection accuracy and reliability are markedly superior in hair testing. Hair tests extend the detectable period of drug use, offering a broader substance history, making them a preferred choice for an accurate assessment.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Theba, AZ gain significant advantages with hair follicle testing's extended detection window. This method can reveal drug use going back as far as 90 days, offering a thorough view of an individual's substance habits, which is essential for informed hiring decisions and maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Theba, AZ reduces the chance of sample adulteration. Unlike other methods, hair samples are difficult to alter or tamper with, making this testing method a reliable choice. This tamper-resistant quality ensures trustworthy results, offering peace of mind in substance use detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations and local centers in Theba, AZ. With nationwide access to testing, individuals find it quick and hassle-free to receive services, ensuring a fast and efficient testing process across multiple regions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Theba, AZ is straightforward and confidential. From ordering a test to taking it and getting results, every step is designed with privacy in mind. This ease of use and assurance of privacy make the testing process stress-free and reassuring for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Providing affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Theba, AZ offers excellent value for businesses of any size. The quick results and competitive pricing structure guarantee that employers receive efficient testing services without compromising on cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Theba, AZ ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of hair follicle tests makes them highly accurate in uncovering substance use, providing rapid results. These tests deliver definitive outcomes quickly, allowing timely decision-making and proactive handling of drug use issues.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Theba, AZ, hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with workplace drug policies. It reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, promoting a drug-free environment. This testing method gives employers peace of mind, knowing they are taking a proactive stance in keeping a safe workplace.

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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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