Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cowdrey, CO

What it is, How it works

Seen as an effective means for detecting substance use, hair testing is valued for its ability to provide a comprehensive historical record of drug and alcohol usage by securing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers. When obtained near the scalp, a hair sample can reveal up to about a 3-month history of alcohol and drug use. Collection of hair is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or testing beyond 10 substances, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a proportional amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab process of producing a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the stage where a sample is initially processed into a laboratory system. This step includes verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial swift assessment for substance abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient strategy to dismiss drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive reading is required for court admissibility. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should the Screening phase result in a presumptive positive, additional hair from the original sample is extracted for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drugs are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations in comparison to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging procedure to execute.

Confirming any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Cheating is challenging: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely tough, ensuring greater accuracy of results.
• Offers historical perspective: This testing can highlight patterns of drug use over an extended timespan, not limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs generally take 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests typically incur greater expenses compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as one’s hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually targets the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Cowdrey, CO due to its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide a reliable method of identifying drug use over an extended period. In contrast, urine tests have a shorter detection window and are more susceptible to tampering. Hair analysis delivers higher accuracy, making it the preferred choice for organizations enforcing strict no-drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window with hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive overview of substance use history, spanning up to 90 days. In Cowdrey, CO, this method allows employers to evaluate a candidate or employee's history thoroughly, making informed decisions based on sustained drug use rather than temporary lapses detected by shorter-span tests like urine analysis.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method that significantly curtails the risk of sample adulteration in Cowdrey, CO. This intricate process ensures accurate and trustworthy results. With observed collection and scientifically proven methodologies, hair testing stands as a formidable barrier against deceit, granting peace of mind through reliable evidence of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network, including local centers in Cowdrey, CO, delivers hassle-free access to testing services. Conveniently positioned across the country, our facilities are designed to streamline the testing process. Whether local or far-reaching, you can count on our testing centers to offer quick and easy services, ensuring you receive timely results without any inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cowdrey, CO, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined to ensure privacy and ease of use for all clients. Our procedures are designed to address concerns about confidentiality, ensuring a smooth experience from the moment you order to when you receive your precise results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our services in Cowdrey, CO, provide excellent value. Companies of various sizes benefit from our cost-effective testing solutions, which guarantee rapid results. By combining affordability with efficiency, we ensure quality and peace of mind, making us the trusted choice for timely and budget-conscious drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy and speed of hair follicle drug tests make them valuable in Cowdrey, CO. These tests efficiently detect substance use, ensuring that individuals who consume drugs are identified effectively. Hair tests offer results quickly, providing the precision needed to maintain safety standards. The ability to pinpoint substance misuse with confidence further enhances their appeal.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing fosters compliance with drug-free workplace standards in Cowdrey, CO. It protects businesses from potential legal pits while enhancing safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their workforce adheres to policies, reducing liabilities. This proactive approach not only safeguards the company but also cultivates a secure working environment for everyone involved.

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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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