Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Corralitos, CA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for detecting substance and alcohol usage. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (approximately matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, it's advisable to gather 150mg of the sample. It is suggested to measure the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

The process of laboratory analysis for a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial steps of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This includes confirming that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid check for commonly abused drugs. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, any positive findings must be confirmed for them to be legally valid. Any samples indicated as presumptive positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test positive in the Screening phase, an additional amount of the original sample is taken for preparation in Extraction. In this stage, drugs are removed from hair at a concentration much lower than other methods like urine or oral fluids, making hair drug testing the most challenging to perform properly.

Confirmation for any positive screen is conducted by methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug screenings can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more restrictive detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely tough, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical use insight: It uncovers a pattern of drug use across a span of time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of indicating recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examination involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Corralitos, CA Hair testing excels in detection accuracy and reliability compared to conventional urine tests.

With a longer detection period, hair tests offer superior insights into an applicant's drug use history, making them a preferred choice for employers seeking comprehensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Corralitos, CA Hair follicle tests offer a significant edge by detecting drug use over an extensive period, up to 90 days.

Employers benefit from this prolonged detection capability, gaining a thorough overview of an applicant's or current employee's substance history, ensuring informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Corralitos, CA Hair follicle testing greatly minimizes the potential for sample adulteration, delivering dependable results every time.

This form of analysis provides unwavering security, reassuring all parties involved by offering results that withstand examination and scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Corralitos, CA Accessibility is key with our extensive network of testing centers across the country.

Our facilities, including those local to Corralitos, offer swift, convenient access to testing services, simplifying the process significantly for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Corralitos, CA Simplifying the hair follicle testing process ensures confidentiality and ease for every client.

From ordering to completion of the test and receiving results, our process prioritizes user-friendly systems and privacy, addressing all client concerns with professionalism.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Corralitos, CA Our competitive pricing structures ensure that all clients receive outstanding value.

With prompt turnaround times, companies of every size benefit from our excellent service without breaking the budget. Providing peace of mind, our pricing maintains fairness and transparency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Corralitos, CA Experience the efficiency of hair follicle drug tests that combine precision and speed, ensuring high accuracy in substance detection.

Our hair analysis method provides rapid and reliable results, enabling swift decision-making for employers. The combination of technology and expertise ensures that results are both timely and credible.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Corralitos, CA Employers gain confidence through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies.

By reducing legal risks and promoting a secure working environment, this method supports safety and compliance with the regulation standards companies strive to maintain.

Drug Testing Near Corralitos, CA

Pajaro, CA

Watsonville, CA

Aptos, CA

Rio del Mar, CA

Interlaken, CA

Day Valley, CA

La Selva Beach, CA

Freedom, CA

Amesti, CA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews