Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wheeler Springs, CA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a detailed history of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. By collecting hair near the scalp, it is feasible to detect alcohol and drugs for around a 90-day period. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, an ideal sample for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It’s advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair, while body hair refers to all other types of hair (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's framework. This step involves checking that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic tracking system.

Screening involves an initial evaluation for drugs commonly abused. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal acceptability. Any sample presumed positive during Screening requires an additional confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, more hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a challenging procedure.

Confirmation of any positive Screening results is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS technologies. All samples thought to be positive undergo washing as required before confirmation. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and holds accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screenings can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine screenings which detect for a shorter period.
• Hard to deceive: Tampering with a hair drug test is not easy, thus rendering an accurate result.
• Tracks usage: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other testing methods.
• Inconsistencies: Variations such as hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Wheeler Springs, CA

Hair testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine testing. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability make it the preferred choice for many testing scenarios. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window, offering comprehensive insights into an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Wheeler Springs, CA

One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period. With a detection window of up to 90 days, employers gain a thorough understanding of an employee's substance use history, crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wheeler Springs, CA

The hair follicle testing method significantly reduces the risk of tampering with samples. This reliability ensures that results remain unquestionable, providing peace of mind and trust in the testing process. This method curbs the possibilities of adulteration often associated with other testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Wheeler Springs, CA

With testing centers nationwide, including Wheeler Springs, CA, our locations offer quick and hassle-free access to drug testing services. This convenience ensures testing is accessible to everyone, minimizing logistical challenges and streamlining the process for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Wheeler Springs, CA

The process for ordering and conducting tests is simple and confidential, from start to finish. Privacy concerns are addressed and ensured at each stage, making the testing process easy and convenient while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wheeler Springs, CA

Our competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times provide an excellent balance of value and efficiency. Companies of all sizes benefit from these measures, ensuring budget-friendly options without compromising on the quality or speed of drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Wheeler Springs, CA

Hair follicle drug tests deliver quick and precise results, ensuring a high level of accuracy when detecting substance use. The data collected provides reliable information, making hair testing a trustworthy method for screening. Testing efficiency means results are timely, supporting efficient decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wheeler Springs, CA

Hair follicle testing assists employers in adhering to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks, and enhancing safety. This compliance brings peace of mind, knowing that potential infractions are being proactively managed. It fortifies a culture of accountability and safety at work.

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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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