Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bellvue, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair, hair provides a record of alcohol and drug history for an extended period. If obtained near the scalp, hair samples can offer around a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample that is 1.5 inches in length with about 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp produces 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate specimen weighing. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be collected. The term head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of processing a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any outstanding data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for the presence of illicit substances. While Screening is financially efficient for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive outcome requires Confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening must undergo secondary Confirmation.

For any sample showing presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are removed from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than found in other substrates (such as urine or oral fluids), emphasizing the complexity of hair drug testing as a methodology.

Confirmation of any positive Screening results occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screenings can identify drug use for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests which feature a shorter detection duration.
• Cheating difficulty: It is considerably challenging to circumvent a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides usage history: It offers insights into a drug use pattern over a timeframe, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Lack of recent use detection: It generally takes about 5-7 days post-drug use for such substances to be identifiable in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug test approaches.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth rate can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bellvue, CO, hair follicle tests have a marked advantage over urine tests. Hair tests offer a superior detection accuracy extending up to 90 days, giving a fuller history of substance use compared to the short-term insight provided by urine testing. This reliability is crucial for employers and legal entities alike.

Extended Detection Window

Unique to hair follicle testing in Bellvue, CO is its extended detection window. Capable of revealing drug use within a 90-day period, this method provides employers with a broader picture of an applicant or employee's substance history, aiding in informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bellvue, CO, hair follicle testing offers a tamper-resistant option that significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration. The inherent difficulty in cheating the test ensures that the results are trustworthy and reliable, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents of Bellvue, CO, benefit from our widespread testing centers across the nation. Offering convenience and ease of access, these facilities ensure that drug testing services remain readily available, facilitating quick and hassle-free sessions for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Bellvue, CO is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, we ensure privacy is maintained while providing an easy-to-follow procedure, helping clients efficiently manage their testing needs without concerns of confidentiality breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and prompt service set our hair follicle testing apart in Bellvue, CO. Offering competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, we provide unparalleled value and assurance, catering to companies of all sizes with efficiency and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency of hair follicle drug testing in Bellvue, CO lies in its swift and precise results. Usually presenting high accuracy in determining substance use, these tests reliably show the presence of drugs over time, making them a preferred choice for numerous organizations seeking dependable information.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Bellvue, CO, hair follicle testing provides assurance of maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks while enhancing workplace safety, thereby providing peace of mind and a secure environment for employees.

Drug Testing Near Bellvue, CO

Nunn, CO

Campion, CO

Glen Haven, CO

Severance, CO

Windsor, CO

Loveland, CO

Drake, CO

Buckeye, CO

Timnath, CO

Livermore, CO

Wellington, CO

Masonville, CO

Poudre Park, CO

Fort Collins, CO

Laporte, 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