Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eldorado Springs, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as a robust resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of alcohol and drug intake, trapping biomarkers within the fibers of the ever-growing hair strand. By collecting hair near the scalp, it can reveal up to approximately a 3-month detection period for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, tough to tamper with, and easy to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (about the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG checks, additions, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It is recommended to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, the same quantity of body hair is an alternative. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four principal phases involved in the lab analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the preliminary handling of a sample into a laboratory’s database. This involves confirming that the sample is securely sealed and correctly shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening pertains to a quick preliminary assessment for substance abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legally binding. Samples that are likely positive in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is likely positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this step, drugs are pulled from hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a highly challenging method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspected positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire lab operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can determine drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that have a shorter detection duration.
• Difficulty to falsify: It is exceedingly hard to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical information: It displays a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eldorado Springs, CO
In Eldorado Springs, CO, hair testing is preferred over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection capabilities. Hair follicle tests identify substance use with high accuracy, offering a longer detection window. Unlike urine samples that might be manipulated, hair testing uses a straightforward collection process, enhancing reliability and dependability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eldorado Springs, CO
Hair follicle drug tests provide an extended detection window, capable of tracing drug use for up to 90 days. For employers in Eldorado Springs, CO, this long-term overview of an individual's substance use history is invaluable. It enables a comprehensive evaluation of prospective hires or current employees, ensuring a more secure workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eldorado Springs, CO
Hair follicle testing in Eldorado Springs, CO, offers a robust testing method against sample tampering. This approach significantly reduces the possibility of adulteration, ensuring that results are both trustworthy and difficult to falsify. It provides peace of mind with reliable outcomes that maintain the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eldorado Springs, CO
Access to hair follicle testing is straightforward in Eldorado Springs, CO, thanks to our extensive network of nationwide centers. This convenience ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing services locally and across the country, making the process smooth for individuals and employers seeking reliable screening solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eldorado Springs, CO
The process for hair follicle drug testing in Eldorado Springs, CO, is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, conducting the test, and receiving results are handled with privacy and ease. This ensures individuals and companies can rely on a process that safeguards personal information and reduces stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eldorado Springs, CO
Our hair follicle testing services in Eldorado Springs, CO, offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. This affordability provides excellent value for companies of any size, allowing priorities on time and cost savings without compromising on the quality and reliability of test results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eldorado Springs, CO
Hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their rapid and precise results. In Eldorado Springs, CO, these tests are favored for their unmatched accuracy in identifying substance use, providing dependable outcomes. This method not only speeds up the screening process but also ensures reliable and timely insights, crucial for informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eldorado Springs, CO
Employers in Eldorado Springs, CO, benefit greatly from using hair follicle testing to maintain a drug-free workplace. This method ensures compliance with workplace safety policies and reduces potential legal risks. It enhances peace of mind by supporting a safer and more productive working environment for everyone.

Drug Testing Near Eldorado Springs, CO

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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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