Hair Follicle Drug Testing - White Hills, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It records an extended history of substance intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair fibers. When taken from near the scalp, hair can exhibit a detection period of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. It is easy to gather hair samples, difficult to tamper with them, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising around 200 strands of hair (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, added tests, and/or panels over 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When we refer to head hair, we only mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial incorporation of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This step checks if the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and ensures any extra data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a quick preliminary check for drugs. Although Screening provides a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be admissible in legal proceedings. Any sample with a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitates additional confirmation.

When a sample is preliminarily positive in Screening, additional hair is prepared from the initial specimen for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are obtained from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more complex procedure.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is completed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive result undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The complete procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have shorter detection spans.
• Impossibility to falsify: Hair drug tests are challenging to falsify, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests are usually pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in White Hills, AZ

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests, the advantages are clear in White Hills, AZ. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy and reliability, providing a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use history. While urine tests are common, hair testing is a preferred method due to its thoroughness and precision.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in White Hills, AZ

Hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection period, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This long-term detection enables employers in White Hills, AZ to gain a full understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance history, contributing to more informed hiring and workforce management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in White Hills, AZ

Hair follicle testing provides a significant advantage in preventing sample adulteration. In White Hills, AZ, this testing method ensures reliable and unquestionable results, significantly reducing the potential for tampering. The process's inherent resistance to manipulation underscores the test's reliability and accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in White Hills, AZ

Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility across the nation, including in White Hills, AZ. Our extensive network of testing centers allows for swift and effortless access to testing services, offering convenience to individuals and companies alike. Nationwide presence ensures fast and easy testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in White Hills, AZ

Our testing services in White Hills, AZ offer a straightforward and confidential process. From ordering to taking the test and receiving the results, every step is designed to prioritize privacy and ease of use, addressing any concerns individuals may have about confidentiality and simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in White Hills, AZ

In White Hills, AZ, our hair follicle testing services deliver exceptional value with competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. This ensures companies of all sizes can access reliable testing without incurring prohibitive costs, offering peace of mind and efficient service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in White Hills, AZ

Hair follicle drug tests in White Hills, AZ, offer unmatched precision and speed. These tests are designed to deliver highly accurate results promptly, making them an invaluable tool in detecting substance use. With their ability to quickly and correctly determine drug use, hair follicle tests ensure confident decision-making for employers and other stakeholders.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in White Hills, AZ

Implementing hair follicle testing allows employers in White Hills, AZ to uphold drug-free workplace policies effectively. This testing method not only reduces legal liabilities but also bolsters workplace safety, providing employers with peace of mind and enhancing overall employee 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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