Hair Follicle Drug Testing - El Moro, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through capturing biomarkers within the growing strand, hair offers an extended historical record of substance use. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can present a detection period of about three months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is uncomplicated, hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising roughly 200 strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. The term head hair refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all non-scap hair (such as facial, axillary, and so forth).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab’s system. This step includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any data not provided electronically.

Screening is a rapid, preliminary check for drugs of abuse. While it’s a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for acceptance in legal contexts. Any samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at a much subtler concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening presents a challenge.

Confirmations for any positive results obtained from Screening are executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, any samples flagged as presumptive positive undergo requisite washing. The entire processing sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to 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 can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection time frame.
• Difficult to manipulate: Tampering with a hair drug test is highly challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: This method provides a usage pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: There is a 5-7 day delay before drugs become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in El Moro, CO

When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine analyses, the former clearly stands out for its superior detection accuracy and dependability. El Moro, CO, benefits from hair testing's ability to detect a wide range of substances over a prolonged period. Its reliability surpasses standard urine tests, which are often limited by shorter detection windows.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in El Moro, CO

With the capability to uncover substance use over a 90-day span, hair follicle tests provide unmatched insight into a person's drug history. This extended detection period in El Moro, CO, means that employers gain a more thorough understanding of an individual’s substance habits, far beyond what shorter-termed tests offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in El Moro, CO

Hair follicle drug testing drastically lowers the risk of sample tampering, thereby ensuring results are trustworthy and unable to be contested. This makes it an excellent choice in El Moro, CO, where test integrity is paramount, reducing both the likelihood and temptation of sample alteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in El Moro, CO

The vast network of testing centers nationwide, including in El Moro, CO, guarantees quick and hassle-free access to necessary testing services. This convenience supports both employers and individuals in maintaining their testing schedules effortlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in El Moro, CO

Simplifying the steps of ordering, participating, and obtaining results, hair follicle testing ensures ease and privacy in El Moro, CO. The smooth and discreet nature of the process addresses any concerns of confidentiality, reassuring clients of their discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in El Moro, CO

Outlined by competitive pricing and swift processing times, hair follicle testing in El Moro, CO, presents a compelling value proposition. Whether for small businesses or larger companies, this ensures peace of mind at an affordable cost, underpinned by efficient result delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in El Moro, CO

Hair follicle drug testing provides rapid and trustworthy outcomes, distinguishing itself with the ability to precisely trace substance ingestion. The swiftness with which results are gathered and the high level of accuracy make it a top choice. In El Moro, CO, this testing method's precision in spotting drug use supports better decision-making for various entities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in El Moro, CO

Adopting hair follicle testing in El Moro, CO, allows employers to uphold even the strictest drug-free policies with confidence. This testing method bolsters compliance measures and enhances workplace safety by mitigating legal risks and providing peace of mind.

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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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