Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Linden, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are increasingly recognized as a robust means for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to around a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair sampling is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and conveniently shippable.

A 1.5-inch length of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil size) near the scalp equals 100mg, the ideal volume for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We advise measuring the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in processing a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample within a laboratory's system. It involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not available from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick review for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage for most samples, positive results necessitate confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening demand a secondary confirmation.

For samples preliminarily positive in Screening, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples are cleaned prior to Confirmation if needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair qualification and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to compromise: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical insight: It can indicate a drug use pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence the amount of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests," this test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Linden, CO, undeniably outperforms urine tests with its enhanced accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests capture a detailed record of substance use over a prolonged period.
Unmatched detection capabilities make hair tests a preferred choice for employers focusing on stringent compliance needs.
Compared to urine tests, hair tests provide an unbiased and thorough analysis.

Extended Detection Window

In Linden, CO, hair follicle testing is recognized for its extended detection window, offering insights into drug usage over the past 90 days.
This long span provides employers with a comprehensive overview of any individual's substance use history.
Hair testing delivers thorough background checks, ensuring informed hiring decisions are made with confidence and clarity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Linden, CO, provide a tamper-resistant solution, substantially lowering the chances of sample adulteration.
Unlike other methodologies, hair testing offers greater assurance and unwavering test integrity.
This method assures that the results are unquestionable, earning the trust of businesses and individuals alike, ready to reduce manipulation risks.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Linden, CO, our network of testing centers, part of a nationwide service, ensures convenient access to drug testing.
Whether local or remote, our clients enjoy swift and hassle-free testing experiences through strategically located facilities.
This accessibility makes it simple for employers and individuals to prioritize wellness and compliance.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Linden, CO, for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, from ordering to test taking and result receiving.
Ensuring privacy, tests are conducted with the utmost confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns.
Clients appreciate the ease of use, guaranteeing a smooth and worry-free experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Linden, CO, offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, making it a cost-effective choice.
Businesses of all sizes benefit from this valuable service, ensuring budget-friendly solutions.
Enjoy fast results without sacrificing quality, offering peace of mind through dependable and economical options.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle testing process in Linden, CO, provides quick and precise results. With a highly accurate method, these tests identify substance usage with greater dependability than traditional methods.
Incorporating state-of-the-art technology, hair follicle tests stand out for their speed and reliability, making them a preferred choice for many.
Individuals and employers alike trust this method for its superior accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Linden, CO, hair follicle testing assures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
The test's reliability mitigates legal risks, promoting a secure and safe working environment.
With hair testing, businesses can achieve peace of mind, knowing they are upholding integrity within their operations.

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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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