Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Alum Rock, CA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use. Hair offers a comprehensive timeline of drug and alcohol intake by encasing biomarkers within the developing hair fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can provide nearly a 3-month timeframe for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. When referring to head hair, it signifies only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result consists of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system, confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and making any additional data entries not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive screening result must be verified to be valid in court. Samples that are initially positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample be initially positive during Screening, additional hair is drawn from the primary sample to prepare for Extraction. In this stage, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug screening is a challenging methodology.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initially positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a more limited detection span.
• Challenging to compromise: It is extremely hard to deceive a hair drug test, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: It illustrates a drug use pattern over a duration, rather than merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines 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 Alum Rock, CA - Hair testing offers significant advantages over urine tests, with superior detection accuracy and reliability. It provides a more comprehensive overview, ensuring a more stringent approach in screening processes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Alum Rock, CA - Hair follicle testing is capable of revealing drug use over a lengthy span, up to 90 days. This extensive detection window enables employers to have a broader understanding of an individual's substance history, aiding in making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Alum Rock, CA - One notable advantage of hair follicle tests is the minimization of sample tampering risk. With strict protocols, these tests provide reliable and definitive results, making them a trustworthy choice for accurate drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Alum Rock, CA - Our nationwide and local centers allow easy access to testing facilities, offering users a seamless, convenient experience without the hassle of searching for testing venues.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Alum Rock, CA - Hair follicle testing is conducted through a straightforward and private procedure, from order to result. This protects user privacy and ensures an easy, secure process from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Alum Rock, CA - Our competitive pricing and swift result deliveries ensure clients obtain great value, making hair follicle drug testing an appealing option for any organization.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Alum Rock, CA - Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their high precision and rapid results. They efficiently detect substance use with a high degree of accuracy, helping ensure informed decision-making for employers and organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Alum Rock, CA - Through hair follicle testing, employers can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal vulnerabilities and bolstering workplace safety, offering peace of mind and compliance assurance.

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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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