Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Karval, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can present up to nearly a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, harder to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp ensures 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for examination and verification. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal phases in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's network. This process involves ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, designating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial swift verification for illicit drug use. While it serves as a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require an additional confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptively positive result in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the primary sample and set for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are separated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug examination is the most challenging method to accomplish.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is handled via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that indicate presumptive positivity undergo washing prior to verification as necessary. The entire lab method from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a narrower detection window.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, leading to more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical insights: It can depict a timeline of drug activity over an extended period, not limited to recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Price: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair hue and personal hair growth differences may influence the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself focuses on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Karval, CO. Hair testing outperforms traditional urine tests by providing superior accuracy and a longer detection period. While urine tests only detect recent usage, hair testing reveals patterns up to 90 days.

Unlike urine tests, hair tests are harder to falsify, making them more reliable. For employers, this means they can confidently enforce drug-free workplace policies without the fear of compromised results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Karval, CO. Hair follicle testing stands out with its ability to identify drug use over a longer duration, extending up to 90 days. This feature offers a more comprehensive assessment of a person's substance use history.

Employers benefit from this extended window, gaining valuable insights into their employees’ long-term drug habits. It ensures thoroughness in pre-employment screening and continuous monitoring.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Karval, CO. Hair follicle tests significantly lower the risk of sample tampering, providing results that are both reliable and definitive. This testing method ensures integrity in the drug screening process.

Using an observed collection process, hair tests reduce fraudulent attempts seen in other testing forms. Employers are assured of receiving untampered and accurate results, which uphold testing standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Karval, CO. Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures quick and hassle-free access to our services in Karval and beyond.

Whether local or national, testing is easy to schedule and access, making it convenient for companies of all sizes. The accessibility of our centers assures employers that they can fulfill testing needs promptly without added complexity.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Karval, CO. The process for hair follicle testing is streamlined and maintains the confidentiality of participants. Ordering, testing, and retrieving results is straightforward and privacy-focused.

Individuals can trust that their information stays secure throughout the testing process. This simplicity ensures that privacy concerns do not hinder participation, promoting ease of use for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Karval, CO. Our competitive pricing structures, paired with quick turnaround times, provide excellent value and assurance for businesses of various sizes.

Employers benefit from affordable and efficient testing solutions, enabling them to make informed decisions without delay. This cost-effective approach reinforces the commitment to provide high-quality and accessible testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Karval, CO. Hair follicle drug tests are known for their rapid and precise results. This method is highly accurate in monitoring substance use, offering assurance in the outcomes presented to employers.

The quick processing time involved in hair follicle testing ensures timely updates, making it an efficient solution for urgent testing requirements. Employers can trust the accuracy of these tests, knowing they provide a clear reflection of an individual's drug use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Karval, CO. Hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, enhancing compliance and minimizing legal risks. It reinforces a safe and compliant working environment.

Employers experience peace of mind through the use of hair testing, knowing it supports policy adherence and promotes workplace safety. This contributes to a more responsible and legally sound company culture.

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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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