Hair Follicle Drug Testing - San Antonio Heights, CA

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair may reveal a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process for laboratory handling of a drug test comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. It entails ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective technique to largely rule out drug use, a confirmed positive is necessary for legal admissibility. Samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening need a further confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair from the original specimen is extracted for further processing in the Extraction phase. This phase removes drugs from hair at concentrations lower than those in alternative methodologies (ex. urine or oral fluid), underscoring hair drug testing as the most intricate methodology to execute.

To confirm any positive Screening results, methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are implemented. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes assessment under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely hard, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data provided: It displays usage trends over time, rather than just indicating recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs take roughly 5–7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically costlier than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although called "hair follicle tests", the analysis concerns the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug screenings in San Antonio Heights, CA, hair follicle tests distinctly outshine traditional urine tests. Superior detection accuracy is a key benefit, as hair tests provide a more reliable method for identifying substance use. Hair testing offers a more expansive view of drug usage history compared to the narrower scope of urine tests.

With its lengthy detection ability and resistance to tampering, hair testing has become the go-to method for ensuring a drug-free environment. It provides a broader overview, making it far superior to conventional urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

In San Antonio Heights, CA, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers a distinct advantage. Unlike traditional testing methods, hair analysis captures a 90-day history of substance use, providing employers with a comprehensive drug use overview.

This lengthy detection period enables a more detailed analysis of an applicant or employee's drug history. The longer window helps companies make better-informed decisions regarding substance use knowledge.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests undertaken in San Antonio Heights, CA, offer a significant advantage through their tamper-resistant nature. These tests considerably lower the risk of sample adulteration, providing a highly credible testing option.

Hair analysis ensures that results are dependable and beyond reproach. The difficulty of adulterating a hair sample makes the results virtually untouchable, accommodating employers seeking authenticity in their drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing options in San Antonio Heights, CA, through an array of nationwide centers. Our widespread locations ensure straightforward access to essential testing services without the hassle.

Whether locally or across the states, you'll find our testing centers comfortably situated for your convenience. This expansive network makes scheduling and undertaking tests quick and effortless.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for obtaining hair follicle tests in San Antonio Heights, CA, is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we ensure privacy while maintaining ease-of-use.

Our streamlined procedure respects your confidentiality concerns, providing a discreet and unobtrusive testing experience. We manage each stage of the process to ensure a hassle-free and private journey from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

At Accredited Drug Testing in San Antonio Heights, CA, we prioritize affordable pricing and expedient results. Our competitive pricing structures cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring excellent value for your investment.

We pride ourselves on our swift turnaround times, enabling companies to secure timely results without compromising quality, thus enhancing their satisfaction and trust in our services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In San Antonio Heights, CA, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their swift and precise outcomes. Speed and precision are crucial, and these tests excel in both, ensuring reliable results. The sensitivity of hair follicle analysis offers superior accuracy, which is essential for dependable substance use detection.

The extraordinary accuracy of hair follicle testing ensures definitive results. The ability to efficiently detect even minute substance traces speaks to its reliability and effectiveness in rigorous drug screening scenarios.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in San Antonio Heights, CA, find that hair follicle testing fosters compliance and peace of mind. Implementing such tests ensures alignment with drug-free workplace protocols, mitigating legal liabilities and enhancing occupational safety.

By adopting hair testing, companies not only adhere to strict policy standards but also gain reassurance in maintaining a safe and productive work environment, effectively minimizing risks associated with non-compliance.

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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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