Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fulford, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair can disclose a prolonged account of alcohol and drug consumption by preserving biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. Hair, when sampled near the scalp, can reveal usage history extending to about a 3-month period for alcohol and other drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising about 200 strands (roughly a #2 pencil's size) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is optimal. We advise weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, body hair in an equivalent quantity can be gathered. When we refer to head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processes a drug test result through four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with the sample's initial processing into the lab's system, ensuring the sample's seal and shipment are intact, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs a rapid initial review for drug misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court eligibility. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive sample, additional hair is collected from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing particularly challenging.

Positive screen results undergo Confirmation via methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is very difficult to cheat a hair drug test, making the results more accurate.
• Provides historical data: It can provide a pattern of drug use over a period of time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are generally more expensive than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can affect the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the test itself analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Fulford, CO, hair follicle testing stands out when compared to typical urine tests. Superior in detection accuracy, hair tests offer an edge by identifying substance presence over extended periods. Their reliability surpasses traditional urine tests, providing organizations and individuals with a greater assurance of accuracy in drug and alcohol detection. This test is a powerful tool for those emphasizing thorough and dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

In Fulford, CO, hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window. This method can track drug use for up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a broad understanding of an individual's substance history. By presenting a lengthy detection period, hair tests provide a comprehensive overview, aiding in making informed decisions regarding potential or current employees' backgrounds.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method, utilized in Fulford, CO, reduces the likelihood of sample tampering, ensuring credible results. Unlike other methods, this test is nearly impossible to adulterate, providing a higher level of security for test results. With its tamper-resistant nature, hair testing becomes an invaluable tool in safeguarding against fraudulent practices, ensuring the integrity of drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents of Fulford, CO, enjoy convenient access to testing services thanks to our nationwide network of centers. Whether local or traveling, finding a testing location is hassle-free, ensuring quick and easy service. This accessibility is designed to streamline the testing process, enhancing the ease of fulfilling drug testing requirements within a vast, reliable network.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fulford, CO, the hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, our protocol ensures user privacy and ease of use. Addressing privacy concerns, the discreet procedure reassures individuals, while intuitive steps simplify the entire testing process, creating a stress-free experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, our hair follicle testing in Fulford, CO, offers excellent value. These affordable options cater to businesses of all sizes, providing economical solutions without compromising on speed or quality. Swift results and budget-friendly rates make this an attractive proposition for companies keen on maintaining peace of mind without hefty costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For those seeking fast and accurate detection in Fulford, CO, hair follicle drug tests excel in identifying substance use. These tests are known for their high precision in determining drug consumption, ensuring reliability. The testing process is swift and yields prompt outcomes, making it an attractive option for those prioritizing timely and dependable results over traditional methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Fulford, CO, hair follicle testing is a crucial component in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By implementing this testing method, employers can significantly lower legal risks and promote a safe working environment. This approach offers peace of mind, ensuring adherence to strict standards and elevating overall workplace security and stability.

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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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