Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jefferson, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to an approximately three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, partially tamper-resistant, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch sample containing about 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It's recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, reference is exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair applies to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in processing a lab-based drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a specimen into a lab’s system. This phase involves verifying the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to negate drug use on the majority of samples, a positive result needs confirmation to hold up in court. Samples initially flagged positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample test positive during the Screening phase, more hair is drawn from the initial sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lesser concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), hence hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Any sample preliminarily found positive undergoes washing before confirmation as needed. The entire lab cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation in conjunction with the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug assessments can recognize drug intake over 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection span.
• High resistance to deception: It is highly challenging to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: Displays a pattern of drug consumption over a timeframe, not merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It requires around 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the strand of hair, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Jefferson, CO

In Jefferson, CO, hair follicle testing provides superior benefits over traditional urine tests. Hair tests boast enhanced detection accuracy, offering results with exceptional reliability.

The capability to detect a broader history of substance use makes hair testing a more comprehensive option compared to urine tests, which is preferred for its accuracy and dependability in various professional settings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Jefferson, CO

Hair follicle tests in Jefferson, CO, feature a detection window that extends up to 90 days, granting employers a thorough examination of an individual's substance use history.

This longer period allows for a detailed insight into drug use patterns, making it an invaluable resource for evaluating potential employees beyond the limitations of shorter window tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Jefferson, CO

The hair follicle testing method in Jefferson, CO, drastically lowers the chances of sample tampering, conferring results that are reliable and virtually indisputable.

The collection process is conducted under observation, which not only secures the test's credibility but also alleviates concerns about sample adulteration commonly encountered with other testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Jefferson, CO

Our nationwide network of testing centers, including those in Jefferson, CO, simplifies access to drug testing services, ensuring minimal hassle for users.

This expansive reach guarantees convenience, allowing individuals and businesses to utilize services swiftly and with ease, anytime and anywhere within the region.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Jefferson, CO

The process of hair follicle testing in Jefferson, CO, is both straightforward and private, catering to those who prioritize confidentiality and ease.

From ordering to results, the streamlined process ensures privacy and user-friendliness, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a non-intrusive testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Jefferson, CO

In Jefferson, CO, our hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing structures, ensuring value across various business sizes while maintaining swift result delivery.

This combination of affordability and rapid turnaround supports businesses in maintaining efficient operations without excessive expenditure, providing essential evaluations quickly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Jefferson, CO

Hair follicle drug tests in Jefferson, CO, provide an unparalleled combination of speed and precision. The method offers highly accurate detection of substance use, ensuring that results are both swift and dependable.

The meticulous process involved in hair testing ensures minimal error, making it a trustworthy choice for entities aiming for the highest reliability in drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Jefferson, CO

Implementing hair follicle testing in Jefferson, CO, assists employers in upholding drug-free workplace policies, providing a safeguard against legal issues.

This testing method augments workplace safety and compliance, thereby diminishing potential legal risks and offering employers peace of mind in their employment processes.

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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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