Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Whetstone, AZ

What it is, How it works

Recognized for its efficacy, hair testing is a valuable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture long-term drug and alcohol intake by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the hair growing from the scalp. When obtained near the scalp, hair can detect substances for nearly 90 days. The collection process is straightforward, the chances of tampering are minimal, and transport is effortless.

A specimen of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), yields 100mg, which is optimal for initial screening and verification. For assessments involving EtG, additional components, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent body hair sample may be utilized. References to head hair specifically imply scalp hair. In contrast, body hair includes all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test outcomes can be divided into four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing within the lab system. This step includes verifying proper sealing and shipping, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Although a cost-friendly option to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screens must undergo confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening proceed to secondary confirmation.

When a sample suggests drug use during Screening, further hair from the original sample is collected for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than other testing methods like urine or oral fluids, making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any initial positive results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo necessary washing. The process from Accessioning to Confirmation is meticulously reviewed, adhering to both the CAP Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can reveal drug consumption up to three months, surpassing urine tests with shorter timeframes.
• Low susceptibility to cheating: The accuracy of hair drug tests is enhanced by the difficulty to manipulate results.
• Historical usage patterns: Hair testing provides a timeline of usage over months, unlike methods that detect recent intake only.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent consumption: Detection via hair requires approximately a week post-use.
• Expense: Hair analysis incurs higher costs than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite levels in hair may vary due to factors like natural color and personal hair growth differences.

Note: Commonly mislabeled as "hair follicle tests", the test actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Whetstone, AZ's hair follicle testing outshines conventional urine tests by providing enhanced detection accuracy and dependability.Extended detection is key, as hair tests can trace substances for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which typically cover a shorter span.

The precision in results means there is less room for error or fraudulent attempts, giving clients peace of mind and trust in their testing choice.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Whetstone, AZ gain a significant advantage with hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, it identifies drug consumption over as long as 90 days.

This capability offers a detailed overview of an individual's substance habits, proving useful for assessing a candidate’s history or an employee’s adherence to company policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Whetstone, AZ, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests greatly decreases sample adulteration risks, offering results that are credible and indisputable.

These tests involve observing the collection process, which ensures authenticity and reduces the possibilities of cheating, boosting confidence in test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With accessible testing centers throughout the nation, including in Whetstone, AZ, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient and hassle-free testing experiences.

The nationwide reach simplifies the logistics of meeting testing needs, providing seamless assistance wherever required, for employers and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Whetstone, AZ, the drug testing process is kept simple and confidential, from ordering to collecting samples and receiving results.

Our clients’ privacy stands as a priority, and every step aims to protect this, ensuring an easy-to-navigate experience and addressing privacy-related concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing keeps pricing affordable for clients in Whetstone, AZ, along with rapid turnaround times.
Cost-effectiveness doesn't compromise service quality, ensuring top-tier value and reassurance for businesses of varying sizes.

Quick turnaround means timely acknowledgments of results, thus maintaining the satisfaction and operational efficiency of the stakeholders.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Whetstone, AZ, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its rapid, precise, and dependable results. Speed is a primary feature, as these tests quickly identify substance use with high accuracy.

This method ensures that individuals seeking fast confirmations get reliable outcomes without delay. Its accuracy is unmatched, offering stakeholders the confidence they need when verifying test findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Whetstone, AZ provides employers with peace of mind and maintains compliance with workplace drug-free policies. By decreasing legal risks and ensuring safety, businesses operate smoothly.

The enforcement of stringent drug use protocols not only safeguards company interests but also fosters trust among stakeholders.

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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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