Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fairplay, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term archive of alcohol and drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, hair can present an approximate detection timeframe of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation phases. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the specimen on a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. In referencing head hair, only scalp hair is meant. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (including facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory testing for substance use encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates the initial handling of a specimen into a laboratory system. This process verifies proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any required additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective method to exclude drug consumption in the majority of specimens, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that screen presumptively positive necessitate subsequent confirmation.

In instances where a specimen screens presumptively positive, additional hair from the original sample is collected for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair in concentrations significantly lower than those utilized in alternative methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is the most intricate methodology.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive specimens undergo washing as needed prior to confirmation. The entire laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is performed under the guidelines of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) for Hair and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair assessments can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair test is quite challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, as opposed to reflecting only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to become discernible in hair.
• Cost: Hair assessments tend to be pricier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests,” the analysis examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fairplay, CO, hair follicle tests are superior to urine tests in many aspects. These tests offer extended detection ranges, picking up traces of substances long after use has ceased. The accuracy and reliability of hair testing exceed that of traditional urine testing methods, making it a preferred choice for employers.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Fairplay, CO, allows for a broad detection period, stretching up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with a detailed history of an individual’s substance use, offering insights into longer-term habits and compliance with drug-free workplace standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Fairplay, CO, hair follicle testing serves as a robust deterrent to sample tampering. The method reduces the likelihood of adulteration, ensuring results are genuine and trustworthy. This tamper-resistant approach strengthens the reliability of testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous nationwide centers, including Fairplay, CO, we provide accessible and efficient hair follicle testing. Our widespread locations make arranging tests convenient and hassle-free, ensuring swift accommodation for all testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fairplay, CO, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, participating in the test, and retrieving results are simple, with privacy maintained at every step. This ease of use builds confidence in the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive pricing and prompt results for hair follicle testing in Fairplay, CO. Our cost-effective solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, delivering excellent value through fast processing times while maintaining quality service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests are known in Fairplay, CO, for delivering fast and precise outcomes. These tests are highly accurate, detecting substance use with reliable conclusions. Results from hair testing provide a trustworthy depiction of an individual's drug history over a longer detection window.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing provides peace of mind to employers in Fairplay, CO. It assures adherence to workplace sobriety policies by minimizing legal risks and promoting safety. The comprehensive detection capabilities ensure full compliance with company guidelines.

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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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