Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Aguilar, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are increasingly recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged historical record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When gathered from near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection range of up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (equivalent to the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for evaluation and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We advocate weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. If hair from the scalp isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test outcome in the lab involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial sample processing within a lab's framework. This process verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not facilitated by an electronic custody system.

Screening is an introductory rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Whereas Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in the bulk of samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which accounts for hair drug screening being the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive outcomes undergo necessary washing. The entire laboratory journey from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Hair drug testing identifies drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are exceptionally difficult to manipulate, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals drug usage over an extended period instead of just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It generally requires 5-7 days before drugs can be identified in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair coloration and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Aguilar, CO
Hair follicle tests, surpassing traditional urine tests, provide enhanced detection capabilities. The superiority in accuracy and reliability makes hair testing a preferred choice in identifying extended drug use timelines.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Aguilar, CO
The ability of hair follicle tests to trace drug use up to 90 days ensures employers gain substantial insight into an individual's drug history, aiding informed decision-making based on comprehensive data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Aguilar, CO
Hair analysis significantly minimizes tampering risks. This method ensures credible and tamper-proof results, crucial for reliable drug use assessments, making it highly dependable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Aguilar, CO
Our testing centers provide a seamless, accessible experience with ample nationwide facilities, ensuring testing services are readily available and straightforward wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Aguilar, CO
Simplified yet confidential, the process for arranging, conducting, and receiving test results respects privacy while ensuring ease, addressing users' confidentiality concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Aguilar, CO
Our competitive pricing, paired with quick result delivery, offers great value. An efficient solution for businesses of various sizes, providing both economic and operational peace.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Aguilar, CO
Hair follicle tests offer precision and swiftness. These tests boast a high degree of accuracy, reliably indicating drug usage. With meticulous procedures, they guarantee quick and trustworthy results, ensuring confidence in findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Aguilar, CO
Adopting hair follicle tests aligns with drug-free workplace policies, safeguarding compliance. This approach mitigates legal threats, advancing workplace safety while assuring managerial tranquility.

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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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