Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Vail, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they develop. When hair is cut near the roots, it can present a detection window of up to 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is easy, relatively tough to alter, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch strand sample made up of approximately 200 strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, considered the best sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is suggested to use 150mg of the sample. Use a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. In cases where scalp hair is not available, the equivalent amount of body hair may be used. References to head hair specifically indicate scalp hair. Other references to body hair encompass all non-scalp varieties (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis to obtain a drug test result comprises four major phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the process where a sample is initially configured within a lab's system, confirming proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any necessary data entries absent from an electronic custody system.

Screening conducts an initial, swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation for court acceptability. Presumptive positive samples at Screening do compel additional confirmation.

Post a presumptive positive result at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair—the concentration is much lower than other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid)—making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

Any positive screening is authenticated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation if needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can monitor drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical data presentation: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time rather than only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect immediate use: Drugs aren't traceable in hair for 5-7 days post-use.
• High cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher expenses than alternate methods.
• Inconsistent results: Differences such as hair color or individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Vail, AZ, hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests. The enhanced detection accuracy captures substance use over a full 90-day window, unlike urine tests which are limited in scope.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing provides superior reliability. This method is less prone to tampering, ensuring more trustworthy results for employers and organizations enforcing drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Vail, AZ, offers an extended detection window for substance use, able to identify drug traces up to 90 days after use. This long-range capability is invaluable to employers who need a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's history.

For employers seeking insight into long-term substance habits, this testing method is unmatched. It provides a detailed view that is unavailable through conventional testing techniques, offering crucial insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Vail, AZ significantly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration. This method provides results that are both trustworthy and accurate.

With hair testing, the challenges associated with sample manipulation are vastly reduced. Employers can rely on the integrity of the process, knowing that the potential for tampering is nearly eliminated.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with Accredited Drug Testing's locations in Vail, AZ and nationwide. Our vast network makes testing easily accessible, with facilities in every major city for hassle-free services.

Local and national testing centers provide seamless access, ensuring that scheduling and conducting tests can be done with minimal disruption. This widespread availability underlines our commitment to customer convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Vail, AZ, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results are all managed with ease, ensuring privacy is respected at every step.

Clients appreciate the simplicity of this approach. The streamlined process reassures users of the discretion maintained, addressing concerns regarding privacy and facilitating a stress-free experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Vail, AZ, our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times offer businesses of all sizes excellent value. Hair follicle tests are both cost-effective and efficient, ensuring results are delivered swiftly.

Affordability does not compromise quality. The fast processing of tests provides peace of mind, knowing that employer requirements are met without excessive spending.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Vail, AZ is both prompt and reliable. The precision of these tests ensures a high degree of accuracy in detecting drug use. Unlike other methods, this testing quickly delivers accurate results, helping employers make informed decisions.

The efficiency of hair follicle tests reduces wait times significantly. Employers in Vail, AZ benefit from the speed and reliability, allowing them to maintain a safe and compliant workplace environment with minimal delays.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Vail, AZ find peace of mind in the compliance facilitated by hair follicle testing. This method upholds workplace drug-free policies, which helps reduce legal risks and fosters a safer working environment.

Through reliable testing, businesses can ensure adherence to established standards. This commitment not only meets regulatory requirements but also promotes a culture of safety and well-being.

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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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