Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Georgetown, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository for a lasting record of drug and alcohol use by catching biomarkers within the fiber structure of the growing hair strand. When obtained from near the scalp, hair can deliver up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment, consisting of around 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Head hair refers to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves the four key steps of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This ensures the proper seal and shipment of the sample, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and involves completing any extra data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial quick examination for substance misuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method for ruling out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, additional hair is sourced from the original specimen and is prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is a complex procedure.

Confirmation of any positive screening is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positivity are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the supervision of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: Manipulating hair drug tests is highly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical data provision: It offers an overview of drug use patterns over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detectability: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself focuses on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle to urine testing in Georgetown, CO, hair testing offers superior detection accuracy. Not only does it provide a longer window for detecting substances, but its reliability far exceeds traditional urine testing methods.

Advantages include:

• Extended detection period.
• Higher accuracy levels.

These benefits make hair testing a compelling choice for employers and legal scenarios needing detailed substance use analysis.

Extended Detection Window

The acclaimed hair follicle testing in Georgetown, CO, provides an extended window of detection. Capable of discerning drug use up to 90 days prior, it offers a comprehensive view over an applicant's or employee's substance history.

Key Features:

• Longer detection periods surpassing other tests.
• Detailed insights into historical substance use.

This extended window is a prominent tool for employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Georgetown, CO, offers a remarkably tamper-resistant approach to drug testing. By minimizing the risk of sample adulteration, it provides highly reliable and unquestionable results.

Advantages:

• Reduced risk of substitution or tampering.
• Ensured integrity of results.

For employers seeking reassurance in their testing processes, hair follicle testing is the solution.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Discover the convenience of nationwide and local testing locations in Georgetown, CO. Our centers provide accessible, hassle-free services to meet your testing needs.

Features:

• Accessible locations nationwide.
• Simple and quick appointment bookings.

Whether locally or across the country, our services ensure that testing is never a burden.

Simple, Confidential Process

Engage in a simple and confidential testing process in Georgetown, CO. Our system is easy to use, from order placement to receiving results, prioritizing privacy and convenience.

Process highlights:

• Effortless ordering and scheduling.
• Confidential, private result handling.

Our approach guarantees ease of use while respecting personal privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Georgetown, CO, enjoy affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our competitive pricing models provide excellent value for employers of any size.

Highlights include:

• Cost-effective testing options.
• Rapid result processing.

This approach assures both economic and timely service, offering substantial value without compromise.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Experience fast and accurate results with hair follicle drug testing in Georgetown, CO. Because of their ability to precisely identify substance use, these tests stand out in terms of speed and reliability compared to other methods.

Benefits include:

• Precision in detecting varied substances.
• Quick processing and result delivery.

Hair testing offers a reliable method for employers and individuals striving for precise outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Georgetown, CO, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. It ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks significantly.

Benefits include:

• Improved workplace safety.
• Reduction of potential legal challenges.

This testing method aligns with requirements to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

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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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