Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Marshdale, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have gained recognition as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a chronicle of substance use by trapping markers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can present a detection span for alcohol and drugs of up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG tests, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If there isn’t enough scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process involves confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any necessary additional data not covered by an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening represents a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. While a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Presumptively positive samples in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and adjusted for Extraction. In this phase, substances are drawn from hair at a much lower concentration than from other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes a review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, which is longer than the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical substance use data: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, not limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable within hair.
• Costliness: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," the examination actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing outshine urine tests in Marshdale, CO? Superior accuracy and reliability make hair testing stand out. Unlike traditional urine tests, which only detect recent drug use, hair tests offer a more extensive detection period. This ability to uncover drug intake over months assures employers of an individual's long-term habits, presenting a truer picture of their lifestyle choices.

Extended Detection Window

In Marshdale, CO, hair follicle testing provides an unparalleled extended detection window, capturing up to 90 days of drug use. This means employers can gain a more comprehensive overview of an applicant or employee's substance history. Long-term drug habits are unveiled, giving businesses the insights needed to make informed hiring or management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Marshdale, CO, present a highly tamper-resistant method for substance testing. The possibility of sample adulteration is vastly diminished, enabling organizations to trust that the results they receive are genuine and unaltered. Reliable and unquestionable, this testing method instills confidence in the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For residents of Marshdale, CO, and beyond, our testing centers provide a convenient solution with locations nationwide. Offering quick and hassle-free access, these centers ensure that individuals can get tested with minimal disruption to their daily routines. The widespread reach of our facilities means prompt service essentially anywhere.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Marshdale, CO, is simple and confidential. From ordering to results, the entire procedure is designed to safeguard privacy and ease of use. Those undergoing testing can trust that their information remains protected while benefiting from a streamlined testing protocol that delivers answers quickly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing structures in Marshdale, CO, for hair follicle tests deliver great value without compromising quality. Coupled with fast turnaround times, these tests offer peace of mind for companies, no matter their size. Affordable and efficient solutions make these tests accessible to a wide array of businesses seeking reliable substance use information.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Marshdale, CO, ensure high accuracy in substance detection. These tests swiftly and effectively pick up on illicit drug use, delivering results with unparalleled precision. Fast and reliable, this method provides a robust understanding of an individual's drug history. It's no wonder that hair testing is emerging as the preferred choice for those seeking dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Marshdale, CO, employers can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This approach substantially reduces legal risks while enhancing overall workplace safety. Peace of mind accompanies these tests, as they support a drug-free environment, protecting both employees and organizational interests.

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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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