Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Evergreen, CO

What it is, How it works

Recognized as a robust method, hair testing is effective for identifying substance use. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of substance intake by locking biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. Hair, when collected adjacent to the scalp, can reveal usage of substances over a roughly 3-month period. It's easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch portion of nearly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) from the scalp provides 100mg—the optimal quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accuracy. In cases where scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" exclusively means scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses every other type such as facial or underarm hair.

Process Overview

The four primary stages in the lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial entry into the lab’s system. This process confirms proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional necessary data input not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary, rapid examination for substance misuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples testing positive initially in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. This stage entails isolating drugs present in hair at concentrations much lower than in methods using urine or oral fluids, rendering hair drug tests particularly challenging to administer.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a more limited timeframe.
• Cheating deterrent: Hair drug testing is highly resistant to falsification, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Chronological data provision: It charts drug use patterns over time, instead of just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot capture immediate use: Drugs take around 5-7 days before becoming detectable in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair pigmentation and individual growth differences may influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although it's frequently called a "hair follicle test," the process evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Evergreen, CO
Hair testing stands out against traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Its longer detection window provides employers with a broader view, making it the preferred choice for many.

In Evergreen, CO, the effectiveness of hair testing in uncovering substance use outweighs that of urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Evergreen, CO
One of the primary advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period, typically up to 90 days. This capability gives employers a comprehensive overview of a person's substance history.

The longer detection period aids employers in making informed decisions about potential hires in Evergreen, CO.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Evergreen, CO
Hair follicle tests are less susceptible to tampering compared to other drug testing methods. The process of collecting and analyzing hair samples makes it difficult to adulterate, ensuring that results remain credible and unchallenged.

In Evergreen, CO, the reliability of hair testing stands out among other methods for its resistance to deception.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Evergreen, CO
Our extensive network of testing centers guarantees that accessing drug testing services is both quick and hassle-free. No matter where you are located, including Evergreen, CO, you can conveniently reach a nearby facility.

This widespread availability simplifies the process for individuals and businesses alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Evergreen, CO
The process of ordering, completing, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and confidential. Privacy concerns are assuaged, providing users with a seamless experience.

Residents of Evergreen, CO, benefit from the streamlined nature of our process, coupled with the assurance of discretion and ease-of-use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Evergreen, CO
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times provide excellent value, catering to businesses of all sizes. The affordability of hair follicle testing makes it an appealing choice for maintaining workplace safety.

Services in Evergreen, CO, ensure a swift process that doesn’t compromise on quality or cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Evergreen, CO
Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its speed and precision, quickly delivering reliable results. The accuracy in identifying substance use is unparalleled, providing peace of mind that the results are trustworthy.

Employers and individuals in Evergreen, CO, benefit immensely from the rapid turnaround time and meticulous accuracy of hair testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Evergreen, CO
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal disputes and enhancing overall workplace safety. Employers can confidently uphold their standards of compliance.

The assurance provided by hair testing contributes significantly to a safer and more reputable work environment in Evergreen, 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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