Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Blanca, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair records prolonged usage patterns by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When collected near the scalp, it offers up to a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for examination and validation. For EtG, additional substances, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, a corresponding amount of body hair can be gathered. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, while 'body hair' includes all other hair types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This involves ensuring the sample is properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. While it’s a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal acceptability. Any sample preliminarily identified as positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

A presumptive positive in Screening leads to additional hair being extracted from the sample and processed for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at lower concentrations than alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

Confirmation of positive screening results employs techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples receive a pre-confirmation wash as necessary. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage over a 90-day span, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection period.
• Hard to evade: It’s notably tough to manipulate hair drug test results, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Chronological data provision: It reveals drug consumption patterns over time, unlike focusing solely on recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methodologies.
• Result disparities: Various factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle itself beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Blanca, CO
Hair follicle testing in Blanca, CO, offers enhanced accuracy and reliability over traditional urine testing. The benefits include a much longer detection window and resistance to tampering, ensuring superior outcomes. Employers can trust hair testing for an unblemished review of an individual's substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Blanca, CO

• Hair follicle testing identifies drug use over a period extending up to 90 days.
• This provides employers with a thorough overview of an applicant's or employee's substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Blanca, CO
Hair follicle tests in Blanca, CO, offer a robust solution to prevent sample alteration. The nature of this test minimizes the likelihood of tampering, guaranteeing results that are both reliable and trustworthy. This method's integrity makes it an invaluable tool for those needing assured outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Blanca, CO

• Our vast network of testing centers ensures easy access.
• A seamless, stress-free testing experience is guaranteed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Blanca, CO

• Ordering and testing procedures are straightforward.
• Privacy and ease of use are always prioritized.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Blanca, CO
In Blanca, CO, our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times deliver excellent value. Our services have been designed to cater to companies of various sizes, ensuring they receive cost-effective solutions alongside prompt and reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Blanca, CO
In Blanca, CO, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and speed. This method excels at detecting substance use with high accuracy, providing reliable results swiftly. It ensures that individuals and employers receive dependable information quickly, making it a preferred option for many.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Blanca, CO
By employing hair follicle testing, businesses ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks. This method supports enhanced safety in the workplace environment by offering indisputable test outcomes, beneficial for employers seeking both compliance and security in Blanca, CO.

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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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