Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Willow Canyon, AZ

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means to detect substance use, including alcohol and drugs. The structure of hair captures long-term indicators as it grows, containing evidence of drug and alcohol exposure. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage history extending to around a 90-day period. Its collection is straightforward, alteration is challenging, and it is simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hairs (equivalent to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp results in 100mg of hair, optimal for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For tests with EtG, additional panels, or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measurement. Should scalp hair not be available, a comparable quantity of body hair is an alternative. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types, including facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The primary process stages within the laboratory for processing a drug testing outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample within the laboratory. This process verifies the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes additional entries not included in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. While an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for it to be admissible in legal settings. Samples identified as potentially positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample indicate potential positivity in Screening, additional hair is utilized from the original specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods such as urine or saliva, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

The Confirmation of a positive screen result is achieved using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples predicted as positive undergo cleaning prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage extending to 90 days, in contrast to the more limited detection timeframe of urine tests.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating in a hair drug test is highly challenging, thus improving accuracy of the findings.
• Historical insight: It reveals patterns over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Lacks immediate detection: Drugs typically need 5-7 days post-consumption to become detectable in hair.
• Higher expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs greater costs than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", this examination assesses the hair strand, not the underlying follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests, especially in Willow Canyon, AZ. Longer Detection Span

• Hair testing covers a 90-day drug use history, offering a detailed view.

• Manipulation is much harder compared to urine tests, ensuring reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

In Willow Canyon, AZ, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window, unmatched by other methods. Comprehensive Review

• The ability to trace back up to 90 days offers insights into long-term drug habits.

• Employers gain a broader perspective on substance use history of applicants or employees, aiding in making well-informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Willow Canyon, AZ, is a robust method against sample adulteration. Reliable Outcomes

• The testing process reduces the risk of sample manipulation significantly.

• Ensures test results are trustworthy and indisputable, instilling confidence in employers and legal bodies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Willow Canyon, AZ, Accredited Drug Testing offers numerous nationwide and local testing centers.Ease of Access

• These widespread locations make it convenient for individuals to undergo hair follicle testing without hassle.

• Quick appointments and prompt services ensure the process is smooth and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

Choosing hair follicle testing in Willow Canyon, AZ is a simple, confidential process.User-Friendly Steps

• The steps involved from scheduling to receiving results are straightforward and user-centric.

• All personal information is treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times in Willow Canyon, AZ.Cost-Effective Solutions

• Affordable rates make this high-quality testing accessible to businesses of all sizes.

• Quick result availability ensures companies make timely, informed decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Willow Canyon, AZ, hair follicle drug tests are known for their swiftness and high precision. These tests provide reliable results quickly, making them an attractive option for detecting substance use. High Accuracy

• Hair tests can identify drug use patterns more effectively than other methods.
• They offer results that employers and authorities can confidently rely on for making informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Willow Canyon, AZ can achieve peace of mind using hair follicle testing for compliance with drug-free policies. Policy Enforcement

• It ensures adherence to company policies by providing dependable evidence of substance use.

• Maintaining safety and policy compliance reduces the risk of legal issues for employers.

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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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