Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Verne, CA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the strands as hair grows. When taken close to the scalp, a hair sample can offer a detection period of approximately 3 months for both alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, an initial processing of a sample into the laboratory's system takes place. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that was not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. While this method is cost-efficient for excluding drug usage with most samples, it is important to confirm a positive screen for legal admissibility. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In the event of a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations much lower than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the standards for ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to the shorter window for urine tests.
• Resistance to manipulation: Hair drug tests are hard to manipulate, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Chronological data: They offer insights into drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• No detection of recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing tends to be more expensive compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth might influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test analysis is done on the hair strand rather than the follicle located under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in La Verne, CA, clearly outshines traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy over a more extended period. While urine tests target recent use, hair testing uncovers substance use months later, ensuring better reliability and minimizing false negatives.

The advantage of hair testing lies in its extended detection window, making it less likely to miss instances of earlier drug use compared to urine tests, thus providing employers and professionals with a more robust evaluation of drug-related behavior.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug testing in La Verne, CA, offers an impressive detection window that stretches up to 90 days. This extended timeframe allows employers to gain a detailed view of an individual's substance use history, which is not feasible with other testing methods.

Employers in La Verne, CA, benefit from hair follicle testing's ability to chart a comprehensive drug use timeline, providing a clearer picture of an applicant or employee's history, thereby enhancing the screening process effectiveness over traditional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In La Verne, CA, hair follicle testing is renowned for its robustness against sample tampering. It significantly minimizes adulteration risks, making it a trusted choice for obtaining truthful and uncontested drug testing results.

The nature of hair testing makes it notoriously difficult to manipulate samples, ensuring that the results obtained are authentic and substantial, fostering confidence in the testing process conducted in La Verne, CA.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers easily accessible locations across the nation, including La Verne, CA, facilitating swift and convenient access to hair follicle testing services. Our network ensures hassle-free solutions for all testing needs.

The strategic placement of our testing centers in La Verne, alongside our expansive nationwide presence, simplifies the testing process, making it straightforward and minimally disruptive for individuals needing these services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In La Verne, CA, the process for hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering to receiving results. This streamlined approach addresses privacy concerns efficiently.

Our services in La Verne prioritize confidentiality and simplicity, enabling individuals to undergo testing with reassurance that their privacy is preserved throughout the process. Clear guidelines ensure stress-free engagement with the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in La Verne, CA, offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, providing exceptional value for businesses of various sizes. Our services deliver cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

The affordable testing options available in La Verne ensure that organizations can manage their testing needs economically while benefiting from the fast processing and reliable results crucial for timely decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In La Verne, CA, the hair follicle drug tests offer both speed and precision, providing reliable results swiftly. This high degree of accuracy in detecting substance use ensures that testing is both quick and dependable, making it an excellent choice for timely decision-making processes.

These tests stand out for their ability to quickly process samples, providing results that are not only rapid but also incredibly reliable. This combination of speed and accuracy ensures that in La Verne, CA, hair testing is a preferred method for effective diagnostics.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in La Verne, CA, find hair follicle testing an effective measure for ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only boosts workplace safety but also reduces the legal risks linked to non-compliance.

The hair follicle testing options available in La Verne guarantee peace of mind by aligning with regulatory standards and supporting a secure, drug-free work environment. This compliance ultimately enhances overall workplace reliability and safety.

Drug Testing Near La Verne, CA

Cobb, CA

Philo, CA

Doyle, CA

Colton, 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