Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Crestone, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can reveal drug and alcohol presence over a span of roughly 3 months. The collection process is straightforward, altering the sample is challenging, and transportation is convenient.

A segment of 1.5 inches, encompassing roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil), nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler's scale. In cases where scalp hair isn’t available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically pertain to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test laboratory process involves four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drug presence. Although Screening offers an economical approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, any positive results require Confirmation to be valid for legal purposes. All samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate a thorough confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted for the Extraction stage. This phase captures drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening as a procedure.

For any positive screening outcomes, Confirmation is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use over a period of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter time frame.
• Challenging to deceive: The difficulty in manipulating a hair drug test enhances result reliability.
• Historical usage data: It reveals drug usage patterns over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs typically require 5-7 days to appear in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often costlier compared to alternative testing approaches.
• Result variability: The concentration of drug metabolites in hair may be influenced by factors like hair color and individual growth rates.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," these analyses focus on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Crestone, CO, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine testing by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can identify substances long after consumption, providing a broader picture of an individual's drug history. This makes hair testing a superior choice for maintaining strict compliance with drug-free policies.

Employers and professionals prefer hair testing due to its ability to present clear, tamper-resistant results. Hair tests are critical in settings that demand the utmost accuracy in detecting unwanted substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Crestone, CO, excels in identifying past drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This lengthy detection window gives employers a thorough insight into an individual's substance history, aiding in informed hiring or monitoring decisions.

With a more extensive overview of drug use, businesses can ensure greater workplace safety. This method of testing is invaluable for accurately assessing candidates and employees who might be impacted by drugs.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Crestone, CO, are known for their tamper-resistant nature, effectively minimizing sample adulteration risks. This reliability ensures that test results remain unquestionable and provide a definitive delineation of an individual's substance habits.

By significantly reducing the possibilities for cheating, hair testing ensures that results accurately reflect genuine substance use, thereby maintaining integrity in drug screenings within the workplace.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers located nationwide, including local centers in Crestone, CO, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to testing services. This wide reach guarantees a seamless and hassle-free experience for all clients, regardless of location.

The strategic positioning of these centers ensures swift service delivery, enabling individuals and businesses to maintain regular testing schedules without disruptions.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Crestone, CO, the process of acquiring hair follicle drug test results is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing both ease of use and privacy concerns. Our step-by-step process makes ordering, undergoing testing, and receiving results straightforward and secure.

This clarity in process management ensures that clients can confidently conduct necessary testing without compromising their privacy, ensuring a stress-free experience throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Crestone, CO, the affordability and quick turnaround of hair follicle drug testing make it an appealing choice for companies of varying sizes. Our competitive pricing structures allow businesses to benefit from quality testing without financial strain.

Timely delivery of results coupled with cost-effectiveness ensures companies maintain drug-free environments efficiently, reinforcing the value of investing in reliable testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Crestone, CO, hair follicle drug tests offer precise and rapid results, showcasing their excellence in detecting substance use. The process not only ensures high accuracy but also speedy outcomes, making hair testing the preferred choice for those seeking reliable screenings.

Employers value the accuracy of hair tests, as they provide a consistent and efficient method to identify substance use compared to other techniques. This swift approach ultimately benefits organizations by ensuring they maintain a drug-free work environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Crestone, CO, implementing hair follicle testing plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies, thus fostering peace of mind for employers. This method not only helps maintain safety standards but also reduces potential legal risks.

By promoting a drug-free environment, companies benefit from improved productivity and employee well-being, emphasizing the importance of reliable testing in meeting regulatory and internal standards.

Drug Testing Near Crestone, CO

La Garita, CO

Sargent, CO

Texas Creek, CO

Chama, CO

Cotopaxi, CO

Coaldale, CO

Mosca, CO

Mosca-Hooper, CO

Villa Grove, CO

Rosita, CO

Hooper, CO

Hillside, CO

Mineral Hot Springs, CO

Silver Cliff, CO

Westcliffe, 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