Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rush, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy historical profile of both alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers within the expanding strands. When clipped close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of nearly three months for substances like alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, mostly tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is an optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to gather 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is suggested. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used instead. When we refer to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair denotes any other hair types including facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four critical phases in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the foremost phase where a sample is initially processed within a laboratory’s framework. This step includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, allotting a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any supplementary data entry not facilitated by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening signifies an initial rapid assessment for illicit drugs. Although Screening is an economically efficient way to negate drug consumption in most samples, any positive finds necessitate confirmation for court admissibility. Those samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening mandate further verification.

When a sample turns presumptively positive during the Screening stage, more hair is drawn from the original sample and processed for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), emphasizing why hair drug screening boasts the highest complexity in execution.

Verification of any positive screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes requisite washing prior to validation. From Accessioning through Confirmation, each step is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a narrower detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is incredibly challenging, thereby providing more reliable outcomes.
• Shows historical usage: It can reflect drug consumption patterns over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect immediate use: It needs roughly 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests generally cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Variability in outputs: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth rates might influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis concentrates on the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers advantages over urine testing in Rush, CO. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability make hair testing a more favored choice. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing provides a comprehensive overview of substance use history.

Although both methods serve to detect drug use, hair testing excels by offering a longer detection window and steadfast reliability. For organizations committed to maintaining a drug-free environment, hair testing is exceptionally advantageous.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Rush, CO, is a significant benefit, covering substance use for up to 90 days. This lengthy period allows employers to gain a detailed understanding of an individual's drug history.

In contrast to shorter detection frameworks, hair testing captures a wide range of substance usage. This ensures employers in Rush are well-informed when assessing employee substance histories.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Rush, CO, hair follicle testing provides a tamper-resistant option, minimizing sample adulteration risks. The method ensures reliable results, making it nearly impossible to alter outcomes.

By using hair samples, testing centers in Rush offer a robust defense against cheating, providing results that can be trusted and relied upon by employers and authorities alike.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the process in Rush, CO. Our broad reach guarantees quick and straightforward access to hair follicle testing services.

Whether local or across the country, our testing centers ensure you can access reliable drug testing services without difficulty, valuing your time and providing seamless convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Rush, CO, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy and ease of use are prioritized, addressing client concerns.

The entire procedure—from initiation to report—guarantees simplicity and discretion. Individuals and organizations can confidently engage in testing, assured of their confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordability and quick turnaround times are central to our hair follicle testing in Rush, CO. Our competitive pricing models offer excellent value without compromising on speed or accuracy.

For companies of all sizes, our affordable testing solutions ensure peace of mind. With rapid results, you receive both economic benefits and timely insights.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Rush, CO, hair follicle drug testing is known for its swift and precise results. The method is designed to accurately detect substance use, ensuring high reliability. Hair tests stand out for their capability to deliver rapid and trustworthy outcomes.

The speed with which hair tests provide results is matched by their precision. In Rush, CO, individuals and organizations can depend on these tests for accurate substance detection, supporting informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Rush, CO, gain compliance and assurance with hair follicle testing, essential for upholding drug-free policies. These tests help reduce legal risks and contribute to a safer workplace.

Hair testing strengthens workplace safety by ensuring adherence to regulations. Employers can rest assured knowing their policies are being effectively implemented through reliable testing methods.

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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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