Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mesa, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become a recognized method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures long-term evidence of substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of hair strands as they grow. When hair is acquired close to the scalp, it can reveal alcohol and drug presence for up to about 3 months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg, which is the optimal amount for examination and confirmation. For EtG, supplements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is recommended. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When the term head hair is utilized, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in the lab involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of entering a sample into a laboratory’s system, ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

In the Screening phase, an initial rapid check for drug abuse is conducted. While this approach is cost-effective for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample test tentatively positive in the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection and prepared for Extraction. This process involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Verification of any positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. All samples preliminarily positive are washed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to deception: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical pattern data: It offers an overview of drug use patterns over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can affect drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves examining the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mesa, CO

• Increased detection accuracy makes hair tests superior to traditional urine tests.
• Hair testing can identify drug use over a more extended period, up to 90 days.
• This method closely adheres to stringent testing standards, minimizing errors and providing reliable insights.

Employers benefit from the enhanced reliability that hair testing brings over urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mesa, CO

• Hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive analysis of drug intake by detecting substance use spanning up to 90 days.
• This prolonged detection period is invaluable to employers seeking to evaluate applicants or current employees on a broader historical basis.
• The testing window is especially useful in uncovering patterns of drug use.

Such tests allow employers to make informed decisions based on longer-term data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mesa, CO

• The likelihood of altering a sample in hair follicle testing is significantly lower in comparison to urine tests.
• This testing method ensures high reliability and sincerity in results, offering peace of mind to all stakeholders involved.
• Rigorous protocols in hair testing prevent adulteration, guaranteeing credible outcomes.

Ensuring integrity, hair testing fortifies trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mesa, CO

• Testing centers distributed across the nation ensure seamless access to services.
• Our facilities provide hassle-free drug testing, with convenient local options available in Mesa.
• Accessibility and ease of testing are assured for individuals and employers alike.

Nationwide reach facilitates swift and efficient testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mesa, CO

• The hair follicle testing procedure is designed to be straightforward and confidential, safeguarding privacy.
• From ordering to receiving results, every step prioritizes ease of use for the client.
• This ensures a stress-free experience for all participants in the testing process.

Clients can rely on a transparent and private approach to hair testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mesa, CO

• Competitive pricing ensures businesses of all sizes can access top-tier hair testing services.
• Quick turnaround times provide timely insights, contributing to informed decision-making.
• Value and efficiency are delivered through our cost-effective testing solutions.

Our services promise affordability without compromising on quality or timeliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mesa, CO

• The precision of hair follicle drug tests stands out, offering rapid and dependable outcomes.
• These tests deliver outstanding accuracy in identifying drug use, setting a high standard in the testing field.
• Timeliness is key, and our tests ensure swift results without compromising on reliability.

Employers value the swiftness with which hair testing can be completed, maintaining operational efficiency.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mesa, CO

• Employers can ensure strict adherence to workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing.
• This method offers significant legal risk reduction and boosts workplace safety.
• Security and compliance are cornerstones, establishing a more serene work environment.

Peace of mind and legal security are guaranteed by adopting hair testing in the workplace.

Drug Testing Near Mesa, CO

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Orchard Mesa, CO

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Redlands, 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.

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