Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cedarwood, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for spotting drug and alcohol usage. Hair strands capture biomarkers within the fibers of their structure, offering a historical record of alcohol and drug intake. When sourced near the scalp, these samples offer a look-back period of up to three months for alcohol and drug detection. Collecting hair is straightforward, with minimal chances of tampering, and it is also easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size), yields 100mg, which is optimal for a comprehensive screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, 150mg of hair is recommended. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses facial, axillary, and other types.

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in a lab involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step, entailing sample reception into the lab’s system. This step checks for proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and manages any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening functions as an initial scan for drugs of abuse. Though cost-efficient for identifying drug-free samples, a positive outcome in Screening requires further validation for legal acceptability. Samples testing positive in Screening move to the next phase for a confirmatory check.

Presumptive positives identified during Screening call for additional hair extraction from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. This step involves separating drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of Screening positives employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. Before confirmation, washing of positive samples is conducted when necessary. The whole lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, aligns with CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair testing covers up to 90 days of drug use, surpassing the shorter timeframe of urine tests.
• Difficulty to cheat: The integrity of a hair drug test is hard to breach, ensuring more credible results.
• Provides historical data: It reveals a long-term pattern of drug use, offering insights beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Detection in hair takes about 5-7 days from drug intake.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other testing options.
• Variations in results: Hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair samples.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the focus is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cedarwood, CO

• Hair tests offer consistent accuracy over traditional urine tests in detecting drug use.
• Employers and legal entities benefit from hair testing's reliable results, crucial for decision-making.
• The superior detection windows make hair tests an advantageous option for comprehensive monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Cedarwood, CO

• Hair follicle analysis covers up to 90 days of drug use history, surpassing traditional methods.
• Employers gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance habits over time.
• This extended window is crucial for informed employment decisions and monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cedarwood, CO

• Hair follicle testing minimizes the potential for altering test samples, ensuring integrity.
• Employers can rely on these tests for dependable and conclusive results.
• The test design inherently guards against tampering, fortifying the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Cedarwood, CO

• Our extensive network ensures convenient access to testing services nationwide.
• Local centers in Cedarwood facilitate a hassle-free process for all clients.
• The availability of numerous locations allows for quick and easy testing logistics.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Cedarwood, CO

• The testing procedure is straightforward and respects client privacy at every stage.
• Users can easily order, undergo, and receive their results securely.
• This simplicity helps address privacy concerns and promotes ease of use for all individuals.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cedarwood, CO

• Our pricing is competitive, offering excellent value for all sizes of businesses.
• We ensure rapid test processing, aiding swift decision-making for all parties involved.
• Cost-effective solutions are paired with quick results to provide complete peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Cedarwood, CO

• Hair follicle drug tests provide rapid results, ensuring swift decision-making for employers.
• The accuracy of these tests is unmatched, with precision in identifying a range of substances.
• Clients can trust in the reliability of hair tests for uncovering substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cedarwood, CO

• By utilizing hair follicle testing, workplaces adhere to drug-free policy mandates.
• This mitigates legal risks and enhances the overall safety of the working environment.
• Employers experience peace of mind with hair testing's superior compliance assurance.

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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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