Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grand View Estates, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair encapsulates a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where a sample is inducted into the lab’s system. This step involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, allocating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for potential drug abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples that yield a positive presumptive result in Screening must undergo further confirmation.

For samples that test positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this step, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which is why hair drug analysis is a complex technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation standards and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can spot drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more reliable outcomes.
• Offers cumulative data: It provides a timeline of drug use over months, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: It takes approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Variables like hair color and personal disparities in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug byproducts in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the test scrutinizes the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Excels Over Urine Tests in Grand View Estates, CO is a major focal point for discussions. Hair testing affords a significantly longer detection window and is more reliable than urine samples. This method captures a comprehensive drug use history, making it a preferred option over the conventional urine test.

Employers seeking superior detection and reliability should consider hair tests. While urine tests assess recent usage, hair analysis provides insights into an individual’s long-term usage patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Grand View Estates, CO gives hair tests a competitive edge. With the ability to detect substances up to 90 days back, these tests provide a thorough view of a person's usage history. This expanded window ensures employers have comprehensive analysis tools at their disposal.

Unlike alternative testing methods, hair analysis covers extended periods, enhancing its utility for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of substance usage and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reducing the Risk of Sample Tampering in Grand View Estates, CO is a priority with hair follicle tests that offer tamper-resistant qualities. The process significantly diminishes the likelihood of altering or adulterating samples, providing trustworthy and unequivocal outcomes.

With secure handling and preparation protocols, hair tests safeguard against common tampering tactics, assuring confidence in the integrity and authenticity of the results provided.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Grand View Estates, CO offer unmatched convenience. Our extensive network ensures immediate and effortless testing access, eliminating delays and facilitating a smooth testing experience for all participants.

Accessibility is a hallmark of our services, with strategically placed centers ensuring that testing is never a hassle, thus making scheduling and undergoing tests a seamless affair.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortlessly Both Simple and Confidential is the hallmark of our testing process in Grand View Estates, CO. We prioritize user simplicity, ensuring the ordering, execution, and results phases maintain an easy yet confidential nature, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Our streamlined process guarantees that individuals' information remains secure from start to finish, offering peace of mind without sacrificing efficiency or transparency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Budget-friendly Pricing Coupled with Rapid Turnarounds in Grand View Estates, CO, solidifies our commitment to offering exceptional value. With competitive pricing frameworks and swift result processing times, our services cater to diverse company sizes and needs.

The combination of cost-effectiveness and promptness ensures our clients receive top-tier hair follicle testing onboarding without inflated costs or protracted waiting periods.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Quick, Precise, and Reliable Outcomes in Grand View Estates, CO are what set hair follicle tests apart. They deliver impressively accurate results in detecting substance use thanks to their sophisticated methodologies. Speed here doesn't compromise precision, allowing timely, reliable insights crucial for critical decisions.

The methodology utilized by hair follicle tests combines advanced detection techniques with swift processes, making them superior in providing accurate and fast results over other tests.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employer Compliance and Peace of Mind in Grand View Estates, CO are priorities achieved through hair follicle testing. These tests aid in adhering to drug-free workplace policies, decreasing potential legal challenges, and fostering safer work environments.

Hair testing lets employers confidently comply with required standards, minimizing risks and enhancing workplace safety and harmony across various organizational levels.

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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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