Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Axial, CO

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has grown as an important technique for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged timeline of drug and alcohol usage due to trapping biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, the hair sample can offer an approximately three-month detection window for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and is convenient to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 strands of hair (roughly matching a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, and/or above 10-panel tests, a sample amounting to 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair alone, while body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in processing a lab drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the start of processing a sample in a lab’s system. It includes verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) at random, and entering any additional data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial and swift check for abuse drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screening necessitates confirmation for court validity. Any presumptive positives in Screening require secondary confirmation.

Presumptive positives from Screening prompt further hair extraction from the initial sample and subsequent preparation for Extraction. Here, the drug extraction from hair occurs at much lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which underscores the intricacy of hair drug screening processes.

Confirmation of positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumptive positive sample is cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligns with the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use extending up to 90 days, whereas urine tests cover a briefer period.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably challenging, thus ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Historical insight: It offers insights into drug use patterns over time, beyond recent usage only.

Limitations:

• Limited immediate detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Variances in hair color and personal hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Even though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually involves the hair strand rather than the follicle situated beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Axial, CO, hair follicle testing proves superior to traditional urine tests in several ways. Firstly, hair testing offers a much longer window of detection, making it highly reliable for identifying long-term drug use. This extended detection period is invaluable for employers committed to maintaining a substance-free workplace.

Furthermore, hair follicle testing is nearly impossible to tamper with, providing a level of reliability that standard urine tests cannot match. The enhanced accuracy and security of hair testing make it a preferred choice for many individuals and organizations in Axial, CO.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Axial, CO, is unparalleled due to its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, often up to 90 days. This extensive detection window allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance history.

With this kind of timeframe, hair testing offers insights into long-term patterns of drug use, helping employers make informed decisions. This extended detection capability is a significant advantage over other testing methods that only offer brief windows.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Axial, CO, is renowned for being a tamper-resistant method much more resilient to adulteration compared to other testing methods. The high resistance to manipulation ensures dependable, unquestionable results, a critical advantage when verifying substance use.

The process of hair follice testing limits opportunities for sample tampering, presenting a robust option that employers and organizations can trust to deliver reliable and truthful outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Axial, CO, the convenience of nationwide hair follicle testing facilities is a key benefit. Accredited Drug Testing provides swift and accessible services across the country, simplifying the logistics involved in arranging for a test.

This expansive network ensures that regardless of your location, you have quick access to reliable testing services without the hassle. This ease of access helps minimize delays and maintains efficiency for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Axial, CO, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease of use at every step. From ordering to testing and receiving results, every stage is designed to maintain confidentiality and peace of mind.

The straightforward nature of the process addresses any privacy concerns, reinforcing that neither complexity nor confidentiality is compromised throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Axial, CO, hair follicle testing is offered at competitive prices, delivering exceptional value without sacrificing service quality. The affordability of these tests is complemented by quick turnaround times, ensuring results are received swiftly.

This combination of cost-effectiveness and expedited service provides peace of mind, making it suitable for companies of all sizes looking for reliable substance use testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Axial, CO, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their precision and swiftness in identifying substance use. Not only do they provide quick results, but these tests also offer remarkably high accuracy. This is the primary reason they've become a trusted method for employers and organizations seeking reliable information about substance use.

With a hair follicle test, you can expect results that don't compromise on speed or accuracy. The dependable nature of these tests ensures that substance use is detected with utmost precision, allowing for confident decision-making by employers and organizations in Axial, CO.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Axial, CO, hair follicle testing assists employers in aligning with drug-free workplace policies. This method significantly reduces legal liabilities associated with improper testing and supports a safe, compliant work environment.

The confidence that comes with employing a robust testing method like hair follicle testing enhances workplace safety and prioritizes employee well-being, representing peace of mind for employers in a legally sensitive area.

Drug Testing Near Axial, CO

Garfield, CO

Maybell-Powder Wash, CO

Phippsburg, CO

Massadona, CO

Oak Creek, CO

Milner, CO

Elk Springs, CO

Yampa, CO

Rio Blanco, CO

Hayden, CO

Moffat, CO

Maybell, CO

Craig, CO

Meeker, CO

Lay, CO

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