Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Garita, CO

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of its growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory drug test result processing involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not present in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid inspection for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient strategy to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples that show a presumptive positive result in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample tests presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and processed for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are washed as needed before confirmation. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to cheat a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers past data: It can exhibit a trend of drug use over time, not just current use.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify new use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually have a higher cost compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations may impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in La Garita, CO In La Garita, hair follicle tests are superior to traditional urine analysis due to their unrivaled detection accuracy and extended reliability. While urine tests offer insights into recent substance use, hair tests provide a more comprehensive snapshot of an individual’s drug history, increasing trustworthiness and precision for involved parties.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in La Garita, CO One major advantage of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over a substantially longer period of up to 90 days. This extended detection window offers employers in La Garita a more thorough view of an applicant or employee’s substance use history, improving the hiring and monitoring processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in La Garita, CO Hair follicle tests significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering, ensuring results that are dependable and indisputable. In La Garita, this method is favored due to its resilience against adulteration. The reliable collection process bolsters confidence in the integrity of the testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in La Garita, CO Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to nationwide testing locations, including numerous centers in La Garita. This ensures a seamless, quick, and stress-free testing experience for individuals and organizations alike. Accessible testing points contribute to a hassle-free process for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in La Garita, CO The process of ordering, undergoing, and obtaining the results of a hair follicle drug test in La Garita is straightforward and confidential. These features address concerns regarding privacy and ease of use, making it an attractive choice for those seeking secure testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in La Garita, CO Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes in La Garita. Our cost-effective approach not only ensures swift results but also delivers peace of mind, reinforcing the trust of our clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in La Garita, CO Hair follicle drug tests in La Garita are known for their speed and precision, providing results that are not only quick but also trustworthy. The method ensures a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use, facilitating informed decision-making for employers and other stakeholders. This is particularly vital in settings where prompt results are crucial.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in La Garita, CO Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures that employers in La Garita adhere to drug-free workplace policies, thus mitigating legal risks and promoting a safer work environment. This test provides reassurance to employers, guaranteeing compliance and enhancing workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near La Garita, CO

Alamosa East, CO

Alamosa, CO

Villa Grove, CO

Crestone, CO

Mosca-Hooper, CO

Mineral Hot Springs, CO

South Fork, CO

Mosca, CO

Gerrard, CO

Alpine, CO

Hooper, CO

Monte Vista, CO

Saguache, CO

Del Norte, CO

Sargent, CO

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews