Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Woodruff, AZ

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair offers a detailed history of substance use by trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair provides up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to adulterate, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair refers to other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the specimen was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary swift check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to rule out drug usage for most specimens, a positive screen must be confirmed to be valid in a legal setting. Any specimens that show a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptive positive in the Screening process, additional hair is taken from the initial specimen for Preparation in Extraction. In this phase, substances are removed from hair at a much lower concentration than alternative methods (e.g. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to cheat: It is extremely difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical data: It can reflect a pattern of drug usage over a duration of time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Factors like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Woodruff, AZ, hair follicle testing is favored over traditional urine exams, primarily due to its superior detection capabilities.
Hair follicle tests are renowned for their longer detection timelines, usually up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests' short-lived detection window. This makes it ideal for employers who are committed to maintaining a drug-free workforce.
Moreover, the precision in results means fewer uncertainties in detecting past substance use, offering peace of mind.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window in Woodruff, AZ, offering insights into drug use over approximately 90 days. This prolonged detection capability affords employers a complete perspective on an applicant or employee's drug history.
As a result, businesses can make well-informed decisions based on this comprehensive data.
This extensive window is invaluable for ensuring a drug-free environment and responsible hiring practices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Woodruff, AZ, hair follicle testing stands out due to its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other methods that might be susceptible to manipulation, hair tests provide results that are reliable and difficult to contest.
The collection process ensures the integrity of the sample, reducing doubts and ensuring authenticity.
For employers, this means confidence in every test result and the assurance of a drug-free workplace.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations in Woodruff, AZ and across the nation, getting a hair follicle test is hassle-free and accessible.

• Our widespread network ensures you won't have to travel far for testing services.
• Whether local or national, our centers are strategically positioned to meet your testing needs quickly and efficiently.
• This streamlined approach makes us a top choice for businesses and individuals.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplicity and confidentiality are at the core of our testing process in Woodruff, AZ. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed to prioritize user-friendly experiences with a focus on privacy.
Clients can rest assured knowing that their information is handled with the utmost discretion.
Our goal is to ensure that each individual encounters a straightforward, respectful testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Woodruff, AZ, we offer affordable pricing and quick turnaround for hair testing needs. Our competitive rates assure excellent value while maintaining high-quality standards in drug detection.
Fast processing ensures minimal waiting times for results, allowing businesses to make quick, informed decisions.
Our pricing structure is tailored to fit companies of all sizes without sacrificing the quality of service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The demand for fast, accurate, and reliable results has made hair follicle drug tests a preferred choice in Woodruff, AZ. Their precision in detecting substance use stands unmatched. These tests are not only swift but provide results with high accuracy.
Leveraging advanced technology, hair tests deliver thorough results, ensuring that employers and individuals receive the certainty they need in substance detection.
By choosing hair testing, you're opting for results you can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle tests in Woodruff, AZ, aligns businesses with compliance standards and enhances peace of mind for employers. These tests help enforce workplace drug-free policies seamlessly, minimizing legal dangers associated with unverified testing procedures.
Additionally, hair testing assures a safer, more productive environment for employees by promoting adherence to corporate standards and guidelines.

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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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