Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Franktown, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and various drugs, embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When obtained directly from the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of approximately three months for alcohol and drug consumption. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.

A sample of roughly 200 hair strands measuring 1.5 inches can provide 100mg of hair, considered ideal for both initial screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, it's best to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for accuracy. If scalp hair is inaccessible, the same quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair, while body hair includes other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into the laboratory system. This stage involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not automated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for potential drug abuse, offering a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples. Nonetheless, a positive screening result must be verified to be legally admissible. Thus, presumptive positive screenings must undergo further confirmation.

For samples showing presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair testing’s complexity.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are used for the Confirmation of any positive screening outcome. Any presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation, as needed. The laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to manipulation: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, increasing accuracy.
• Historical insight: They provide an overview of drug use habits over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Hair can only detect drugs after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", these assessments evaluate the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine testing in Franktown, CO, hair follicle testing is superior. Enhanced detection and accuracy at identifying drug use are significant benefits.

While urine tests are common, hair testing offers greater detection accuracy over longer periods, making it valuable for employers and legal entities.

In Franktown, reliability factors heavily favor hair testing due to its extended detection window and harder-to-tamper samples.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Franktown, CO, provides a longer detection period of up to 90 days. Extended detection windows ensure employers have a comprehensive understanding of drug use.

This testing method offers long-term monitoring of substance use histories, useful for employers assessing an employee’s past behavior.

Employers in Franktown appreciate the extended detection capabilities of hair testing, providing insights unavailable in other methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Franktown, CO, offer a robust defense against sample adulteration. Reduced tampering potential guarantees more reliable results.

Compared to other methods, hair testing provides unquestionable evidence due to the difficulty of altering the sample integrity.

In Franktown, sample integrity with hair tests is unmatched, ensuring that collected data is authentic and dependable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Franktown, CO, our widespread network of testing sites makes operation effortless. Nationwide testing centers translate to user-friendly and expedient testing services.

Local and national access to our centers guarantees hassle-free hair testing for individuals and businesses.

Franktown enjoys the convenience of numerous local and national testing facilities, ideal for on-demand testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Franktown, CO is straightforward and private. Easy ordering and result handling help ensure privacy is protected.

The testing process is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns while maintaining high standards.

Franktown residents value our confidential testing methods for their straightforward approach and assurance of privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing in Franktown, CO is competitive, with rapid turnaround times offering great value for businesses of all sizes.

Affordable models and fast results make hair follicle testing an excellent choice for companies seeking value and efficiency.

Franktown companies benefit from cost-effective and swift solutions in drug testing, with pricing structures that cater to various business needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Franktown, CO, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. Quick results showcase their accuracy in detecting substance use, setting a high standard for testing.

The methodology used in hair analysis ensures rapid yet accurate detection of drugs. This speed combined with reliability makes it a superior testing option in Franktown.

Franktown's reliance on fast and trustworthy results highlights hair testing's efficiency. Employers in the area value these characteristics highly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Franktown, CO, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. Policy adherence reduces legal risks and enhances safety.

Ensuring compliance through hair testing offers peace of mind to employers, helping maintain a drug-free environment.

Adopting hair testing in Franktown improves workplace safety, and assists in meeting legal standards effectively.

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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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