Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Branson, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying alcohol and drug use. The hair captures a long-term record of substances by integrating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reflect approximately a 3-month period for alcohol and drug detection. The collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch hair sample of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels over 10, 150mg is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If head hair cannot be collected, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four major steps in laboratory drug testing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves introducing the sample into the laboratory’s system. Duties include ensuring the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary step to detect drug use. Although Screening is cost-effective for ruling out drugs in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be legally acceptable. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a Screening stage result is presumptively positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs at lower concentrations than other methods (for example, urine or saliva), making hair drug screening particularly challenging to execute.

Confirming a positive screening outcome is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair tests identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited period.
• Resistant to manipulation: Cheating a hair test is challenging, making results more dependable.
• Chronological data: It offers insight into drug habits over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Delayed detection: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair testing tends to be pricier than alternate drug tests.
• Inconsistent results: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Branson, CO

Hair follicle tests outshine traditional urine tests by offering superior accuracy and reliability. In Branson, CO, these tests detect drug use over a longer period, providing employers with a holistic view of an individual's substance history. The extended detection window and tamper-proof nature solidify their edge over urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Branson, CO

Hair follicle testing is unparalleled in its ability to detect drug use over a lengthy period, often up to 90 days. This prolonged detection timespan offers employers in Branson, CO a comprehensive insight into an applicant or employee's history, fostering informed decision-making for workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Branson, CO

One of the key advantages of hair follicle drug tests in Branson, CO is their resistance to tampering. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are difficult to adulterate, ensuring that the results are genuine and dependable, thereby eliminating doubts about the authenticity of the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Branson, CO

Avail the convenience of nationwide testing centers with our services in Branson, CO. Access quick and hassle-free testing, as numerous locations nationwide and locally ensure that hair follicle drug tests are easily within reach, making the process seamless and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Branson, CO

Our hair follicle testing in Branson, CO promises a straightforward and confidential experience. From ordering to receiving results, every step ensures privacy and simplicity, addressing any concerns about discretion and ease. Count on us for an uncomplicated process that values your confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Branson, CO

With competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, our hair follicle testing in Branson, CO offers exceptional value. Companies of all sizes can benefit from budget-friendly options and expedited processing, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and timely insights into substance use.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Branson, CO

Experience precision and swiftness in drug testing with hair follicle methods in Branson, CO. Renowned for their high detection accuracy, these tests efficiently unveil substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes within a short timeframe. Leverage the rapid analysis of hair samples to maintain a substance-free environment with ease.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Branson, CO

Implementing hair follicle testing in Branson, CO safeguards employers by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This robust testing method minimizes legal risks and promotes a safer work environment, giving employers the confidence and peace of mind they need.

Drug Testing Near Branson, CO

Ludlow, CO

Delhi, CO

Andrix, CO

Cokedale, CO

Jansen, CO

Trinidad, CO

Starkville, CO

El Moro, CO

Tyrone, CO

Hoehne, CO

Kim, CO

Keota, CO

Model, CO

Villegreen, CO

Trinchera, 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