Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Crescenta, CA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol use. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and various drugs by capturing biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to approximately a 3-month timeframe for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch piece of about 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for checking and verifying. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we are talking about scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal steps in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples; however, a confirmed screen is essential for court admissibility. Any samples that appear positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample suggests a positive result in the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Harder to manipulate: It is notably difficult to fool a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical tracking: It can reflect a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: There is roughly a 5-7 day period before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in La Crescenta, CA, surpasses traditional urine tests.Superior Detection Ability is one key benefit.

• It offers a longer detection window, up to 90 days.
• More reliable than urine, especially for historical substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in La Crescenta find tremendous value in hair follicle drug tests.Extended detection window is a notable feature.

• Tests trace back substance use up to 90 days.
• Provides a fuller picture of an individual’s history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In La Crescenta, CA, the risk of tampering with hair follicle tests is minimal.Tamper-resistant technology is integral to this method.

• Proven resistance to adulteration attempts.
• Assures reliable and unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing centers across the nation and locally in La Crescenta ensure easy access.Convenience is key.

• Widespread availability facilitates quick testing.
• No need for lengthy travel to a testing center.

Simple, Confidential Process

In La Crescenta, CA, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and secure.Confidentiality and simplicity define the service.

• Ordering and taking tests involves simple steps.
• A secure system ensures privacy of results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

La Crescenta businesses benefit from affordable hair follicle testing.Competitive pricing provides solid value.

• Price structures cater to companies of all sizes.
• Fast turnaround times add to efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In La Crescenta, CA, hair follicle drug testing offers incredible speed and accuracy.Compared to other methods, it stands out in terms of precision.

• High accuracy in detecting a range of substances.
• Quick results provide peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle tests helps maintain workplace safety in La Crescenta.Compliance assurance is vital.

• Ensures adherence to drug-free policies.
• Reduces potential legal implications.

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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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