Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Western, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug use through biomarkers trapped in the strands. Collected close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides about 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equal quantity of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The core stages in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any extra data not covered by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug abuse. While an economical method for ruling out drugs in most samples, a positive result from Screening must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Samples testing positive at this stage require secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair from the original specimen is prepared for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conformity with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Detects drug usage for as long as 90 days, offering a longer window than urine tests.
• Resilience to manipulation: Hair drug tests are hard to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical data: Offers insights into drug use patterns over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more expensive compared to other testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Western, AZ
Hair testing offers several advantages over traditional urine tests, primarily its extended detection period and difficulty to manipulate. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing can trace drug usage over several months, making it a more dependable choice for both employers and professionals when accurate historical drug use data is crucial.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Western, AZ
With a detection window that spans up to 90 days, hair follicle testing provides a thorough insight into an individual’s drug use history, far exceeding the capabilities of urine tests. This extended period helps employers evaluate an applicant or employee’s long-term substance use patterns, ensuring more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Western, AZ
The reliability of hair follicle tests stems from their resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, these tests are conducted in a manner that significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration. This ensures the results are accurate and dependable, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Western, AZ
With numerous testing centers spread across the nation, our services ensure ease of access to hair follicle testing. Whether for local clients in Western, AZ, or those in different states, the expansive network offers quick and hassle-free access for everyone seeking reliable drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Western, AZ
The process for hair follicle testing is both straightforward and private, ensuring client confidentiality throughout. From ordering to testing and receiving results, each step is designed to be user-friendly, addressing any privacy concerns individuals might have effortlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Western, AZ
Our competitive pricing structure makes hair follicle testing accessible for businesses of all sizes. Coupled with quick turnaround times, we offer an excellent balance of value and efficient service, enabling companies to receive timely, accurate results without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Western, AZ
Hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and swift processing times, making them an excellent choice for accurate substance detection. These tests quickly identify the presence of drugs with a higher degree of accuracy compared to other methods, ensuring that individuals and employers receive reliable results promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Western, AZ
By implementing hair follicle drug testing, employers can maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies effectively. This method reduces legal risks and enhances overall workplace safety, providing employers peace of mind knowing they’re building a safer, more compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near Western, AZ

Round Rock, AZ

Tonalea, AZ

Many Farms, AZ

Red Lake, AZ

Kaibito, AZ

Mexican Water, AZ

Pinon, AZ

Rock Point, AZ

Rough Rock, AZ

Dennehotso, AZ

Shonto, AZ

Chilchinbito, AZ

Kayenta, AZ

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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