Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Presa, CA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drug use. The collection is straightforward, with minimal susceptibility to tampering, and is simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil in size) next to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. The term "head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in a drug test's laboratory processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is processed into the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is issued, and any necessary data entries that aren't part of an electronic custody chain are completed.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs. Though cost-effective for screening the bulk of samples, a positive result from Screening demands confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Any samples marked positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the main sample for the Extraction phase. This step involves extracting drugs from the hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug analysis is considered challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives are washed as needed before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is subjected to review according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can track drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to evade: It is exceptionally hard to falsify a hair drug test, which ensures accuracy.
• Tracks usage history: It reveals patterns of drug use over time, rather than recent consumption only.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days before drugs are traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than other methods.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the levels of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: This is commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," but actually evaluates the strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in La Presa, CA, surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Longer detection periods offer a comprehensive view of substance history, a clear advantage over urine tests.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle tests are less prone to sample tampering, thus maintaining integrity and trustworthiness in test results for both employers and individuals.

Extended Detection Window

In La Presa, CA, hair follicle tests present an extended detection window, identifying substance use up to 90 days prior, providing employers with a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's drug history.

This prolonged detection capability offers a thorough view of an applicant or employee's patterns, enabling informed, accurate hiring or retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in La Presa, CA, are highly tamper-resistant, significantly reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration while guaranteeing reliable and unquestionable outcomes.

With stringent collection protocols, these tests ensure accuracy, offering employers peace of mind regarding the authenticity of results and the substance use status of their staff.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient nationwide and local locations in La Presa, CA. Easily accessible testing centers make drug screening quick and hassle-free, meeting clients' varied schedules.

Our network of facilities ensures rapid and straightforward access, allowing clients to fulfill testing needs without delay or inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In La Presa, CA, our drug testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving results, the procedure is crafted for ease of use, addressing privacy concerns head-on.

Customers can rest assured of their privacy, experiencing streamlined steps that minimize stress and protect personal information throughout the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In La Presa, CA, our affordable pricing and fast turnaround time underscore exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. Competitive rates ensure access to quality testing without financial strain.

Quick and precise results bolster confidence in decision-making, giving companies prompt actionable insights into applicants' or employees' substance use.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In La Presa, CA, hair follicle drug tests offer rapid, precise results, boasting high accuracy in detecting substance use. Speed and reliability are central to the test, giving employers confidence in their decisions.

With advanced technology, hair follicle tests identify drugs within days, providing dependable results. Such efficiency ensures quick hiring decisions in the fast-paced business environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in La Presa, CA, aids in compliance with workplace drug-free policies, lowering legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. Peace of mind stems from ensuring only fit candidates are employed.

Such testing confirms adherence to zero-tolerance drug policies, maintaining a safer and more productive work environment, minimizing liabilities linked to drug use-related incidents.

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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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