Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Two Guns, AZ

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Through the capture of biomarkers in the strands, hair records a comprehensive timeline of substance use. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol traces for up to roughly three months. The process of hair collection is straightforward; it is resistant to tampering and convenient for shipping.

Collecting a 1.5-inch portion of about 200 hair strands, similar to a #2 pencil size, near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the hair sample is advised. It is advisable to weigh the hair using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Four essential steps constitute the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step in processing a sample into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample’s packaging and transportation were correct, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any data entry not covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drugs in most samples, a positive requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening methodology.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed for confirming any positive screening outcomes. Samples with presumptive positives undergo cleaning prior to confirmation. The full process from Accessioning through Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Challenging to fraud: Cheating a hair drug test is particularly tough, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical use patterns: It reveals a timeline of drug use instead of merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not detecting recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Two Guns, AZ, hair follicle tests outperform urine tests in detecting substances. Their superior accuracy ensures less false positives, offering more reliable outcomes for drug assessments.

The reliability of hair testing in Two Guns, AZ, trumps urine methods as it offers a broader detection scope. Superior accuracy makes hair tests a preferred choice for stringent drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Two Guns, AZ, benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, capturing drug use over a lengthy period of up to 90 days. This provides a detailed perspective of an individual's substance history.

The lengthy detection period of hair drug tests in Two Guns, AZ, is a key advantage, offering detailed insights into substance use for up to 90 days, thus aiding in comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Two Guns, AZ, offer a tamper-resistant solution, minimizing the possibility of sample adulteration. Their robustness ensures reliable and unquestionable results each time.

The hair testing method in Two Guns, AZ, is resistant to tampering, ensuring sample integrity and providing results that can be trusted without question.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide centers, accessing our testing services in Two Guns, AZ, is convenient. Our extensive network ensures quick, easy access to high-quality testing options no matter where you are located.

Our testing locations in Two Guns, AZ, part of a vast national network, ensure hassle-free service accessibility, making the testing process streamlined and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Two Guns, AZ, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential. Concerns over privacy are addressed, ensuring a user-friendly experience.

The simplicity and confidentiality of our hair testing process in Two Guns, AZ, make it easy to manage, addressing privacy concerns while offering an uncomplicated user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability meets efficiency in Two Guns, AZ, where competitive pricing for hair drug tests is paired with fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes.

Our compelling pricing strategy in Two Guns, AZ, combined with quick results turnaround, ensures top value and peace of mind for companies seeking cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Two Guns, AZ, is unmatched. They deliver rapid, accurate results, making them an invaluable tool for detecting substance use. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing ensures top-notch accuracy every time.

The speed and reliability of hair drug testing are unparalleled. In Two Guns, AZ, results are fast yet dependable, ensuring users get accurate detection of substances without delay.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Two Guns, AZ, offers employers peace of mind by ensuring compliance with drug-free policies, significantly lowering legal risks while boosting workplace safety.

In Two Guns, AZ, using hair drug tests enhances workplace safety. Employers gain reassurance through compliance with regulations, minimizing potential legal concerns.

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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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