Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hillside, CO

What it is, How it works

Over time, hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug use. Hair captures a historical record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When strands are clipped near the scalp, they can reveal drug and alcohol use within an estimated 3-month period. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and samples are simple to ship.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in width to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields around 100mg—the optimal quantity for analysis. For EtG, additional testing, or panels over 10, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate weighing. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. By "head hair," we specifically mean "scalp hair." All other types, such as facial or axillary hair, fall under "body hair."

Process Overview

Lab processing of drug test samples involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes integrating a sample into the lab's database, ensuring proper sealing and shipping, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any additional records not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as an initial assessment for drug presence, a cost-effective means of ruling out drugs in most samples. Positive results in Screening necessitate confirmation before being accepted in legal contexts. Presumptively positive samples need further confirmation testing.

For samples indicated as positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial batch for Extraction, wherein drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or saliva tests), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any detected substances during Screening utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Confirmatory testing necessitates washing all presumptively positive samples. The entire process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed against the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing can identify substance use up to 90 days, offering a broader timeframe than urine testing, which is more limited.
• Hard to tamper: Given the difficulty of falsifying a hair test, results are considered more reliable.
• Provides timelines: It can outline usage patterns over time rather than capture only short-term use.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: A span of 5-7 days is required for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests are typically pricier compared to alternative testing methods.
• Variable results: Drug metabolite levels can be influenced by hair color and unique hair growth patterns.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is a misnomer as analysis involves the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hillside, CO is due to its strategic advantages.
Benefits include:

• An extended detection window
• Resistance to tampering
• Higher reliability

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hillside, CO makes hair follicle testing a preferred choice. Hair tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, providing a detailed view of an individual's substance history. This longer window allows employers to assess an applicant or employee's behavior over a significant span, enhancing confidence in the hiring process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hillside, CO highlights a key advantage of hair follicle testing. The method effectively reduces risks of sample adulteration, offering reliable and accurate outcomes. Employers and authorities gain confidence in the results, as the risk of manipulation is significantly diminished, safeguarding against falsification and providing trustworthy data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations including local ones in Hillside, CO make Accredited Drug Testing user-friendly. We provide nationwide access to our centers, ensuring quick and efficient service.

• Easy access
• Minimal travel
• User convenience

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process for hair drug tests in Hillside, CO is a key feature. The process is straightforward and private, addressing user concerns over data confidentiality.

• Order
• Test
• Receive results

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround for hair tests in Hillside, CO offer excellent value. We maintain competitive pricing and ensure quick delivery times. Companies benefit from

• Cost-effectiveness
• Timely results
• Value for money

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hillside, CO are achieved through hair follicle drug tests. These tests offer precision and speed in identifying drug and alcohol use.

• Immediate collection
• Lab analysis
• Detailed results

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers using hair follicle testing in Hillside, CO warrant several benefits.

• Meeting strict drug-free policies
• Lowering legal risks
• Enhancing safety

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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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