Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Platner, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol intake. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers as hair grows. When taken from near the scalp, a hair sample can reveal up to an estimated 3-month history of alcohol and drug exposure. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken close to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for both initial screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to collect 150mg of specimen. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process ensures that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any samples flagged as presumptively positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample is identified as presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, yielding more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: It offers a record of drug use over time, not limited to recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing modalities.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, rather than on the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Platner, CO

When comparing hair follicle and urine testing methods, hair tests offer clear advantages. These tests exhibit superior detection accuracy by revealing prolonged substance use periods, something traditional urine tests miss. The reliability inherent in hair testing increases employer confidence, facilitating better decision-making processes in workforce management.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Platner, CO

Hair follicle testing in Platner, CO provides a remarkable detection window of up to 90 days. This extensive timeframe allows employers insight into long-term substance use patterns of employees or job applicants. Unlike urine tests, the hair method offers a comprehensive view of an individual's history, justifying its use for in-depth drug monitoring programs.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Platner, CO

Hair follicle testing in Platner, CO significantly diminishes the likelihood of sample tampering. Its robust collection and analysis procedures ensure integrity, producing trustworthy results. The observed sample collection almost eliminates the risk of adulteration, offering peace of mind to employers and legal authorities looking for indisputable evidence of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Platner, CO

With a network of testing centers spread nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing services in Platner, CO is straightforward and convenient. Our strategic locations ensure stress-free testing processes, accommodating individuals from different parts of the country swiftly. Local centers in Platner enhance accessibility, adding to client satisfaction.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Platner, CO

The hair follicle testing process in Platner, CO is streamlined for ease and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, every step safeguards privacy, addressing concerns about discretion effectively. This user-friendly approach assures clients of both a hassle-free experience and the protection of their personal information at every stage.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Platner, CO

Competitive pricing and quick response times characterize our hair follicle testing services in Platner, CO. These cost-effective solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring excellent value. Rapid result delivery alleviates any delays for employers, supporting optimal company operations and strategic decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Platner, CO

Hair follicle testing in Platner, CO guarantees swift, precise, and dependable results. Recognized for its high accuracy, this testing method detects substance use with remarkable reliability. It empowers employers and legal bodies with rapid turnaround times, ensuring timely and informed decision-making. Superior accuracy remains a hallmark, identifying drug usage patterns effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Platner, CO

Hair follicle drug testing aids Platner, CO employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By doing so, businesses reduce potential legal liabilities while simultaneously promoting a safer work environment. This method of testing aligns employer policies with regulatory standards, bringing assurance and stability to workplace dynamics.

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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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