Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Loma, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage over a period of up to 3 months. It's easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to ship.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for tests and verifications. For EtG analysis, add-ons, or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent volume of body hair is a viable alternative. When we talk about head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other hair types like facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The lab procedure for a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step, where a sample enters the lab’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing information not available through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs an initial rapid check for drugs. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive result needs validation to be legally credible. Any samples showing a preliminary positive in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample tests preliminarily positive during Screening, more hair from the original specimen is taken for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than from other methods like urine or saliva, making hair drug tests particularly challenging.

Verification of any positive Screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples showing initial positivity are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is examined under the standards of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Sustained detection span: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests that offer shorter detection periods.
• High resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are hard to manipulate, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Provides longitudinal data: It offers a drug use pattern over time, rather than indicating only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify immediate use: Drugs start to be traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests can be pricier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair pigment and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in hair samples.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", this test evaluates the actual hair strands, not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Loma, CO Hair follicle testing provides superior detection and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. The ability to identify drug usage over extended periods provides employers with an in-depth perspective. Unlike urine tests, which only shed light on recent use, hair tests offer a broader picture, ensuring more accurate screenings.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Loma, CO The extended detection window of up to 90 days makes hair follicle testing a valuable tool for employers. By analyzing hair samples, historical drug use is revealed, giving employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's habits. This prolonged detection is unmatched by conventional testing options like urine tests, which are limited to recent use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Loma, CO The hair follicle test method offers a substantial reduction in the chances of sample adulteration. With direct observation during collection, the process ensures the integrity of the sample. This robust method provides secure and trustworthy results that are hard to contest, making it a favored choice for reliable drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Loma, CO The nationwide network of testing centers offers unparalleled convenience for both companies and individuals. Whether you're in Loma or beyond, accessing reliable hair follicle testing services is straightforward. This ease of access contributes to a stress-free experience for those needing quick and reliable drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Loma, CO Our process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is streamlined and confidential. Concerns regarding privacy are addressed, ensuring that the entire procedure is both secure and uncomplicated. Clients can participate with peace of mind, trusting in a discreet handling of their sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Loma, CO Competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times define our hair follicle testing services. Offering excellent value, these tests are accessible for businesses of varying sizes, ensuring they can perform necessary screenings without straining their budgets. This affordability and efficiency make it an attractive option for many.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Loma, CO Hair follicle drug tests in Loma offer a swift, dependable method for detecting substance usage. With high precision, these tests are designed to rapidly identify drug presence, ensuring employers receive quick feedback about potential drug use. This efficiency allows businesses to make informed decisions promptly, minimizing waiting periods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Loma, CO Adopting hair follicle testing can help ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This not only reduces potential legal implications but also enhances safety within the work environment. Employers can confidently maintain a secure workspace, knowing that comprehensive testing minimizes the risk of substance-related concerns.

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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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