Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Silverton, CO

What it is, How it works

Analyzing hair has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term markers of drugs and alcohol by embedding them in the strands as they grow. Once collected nearest to the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and various drugs. The collection process for hair samples is straightforward, with limited potential for tampering, and convenient for transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields about 100mg, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, extra testing, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is recommended. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four critical phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial stage of incorporating a sample into the laboratory’s system. This phase includes confirming that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and finalizing any additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid evaluation for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as an economically efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation for legal acceptability. Any samples testing positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

In instances of positive screening results, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for further Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are separated from hair with significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening among the most challenging methods.

Positive screening confirmations are achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Challenging to evade: Evading a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Reveals usage history: It presents a drug usage pattern over time rather than mere recent use.

Limitations:

• Not for recent detection: Drugs are typically detectable in hair around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing usually incurs higher costs than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the actual testing involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Silverton, CO: Hair testing offers numerous advantages over urine analysis. It detects drug use over a longer timeframe and has higher reliability, making it an ideal choice for employers seeking comprehensive assessments.

Unlike urine tests, which are easier to adulterate, hair testing offers a superior detection method, ensuring that results are both accurate and dependable.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Silverton, CO: Hair follicle tests provide insight into drug use spanning up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a complete understanding of a person's substance habits.

The extended window of detection ensures that even infrequent drug use does not go unnoticed, offering a comprehensive look at an individual's history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Silverton, CO: Hair follicle testing minimizes the chance of sample tampering, providing employers with results they can trust.

Unlike other testing methods, the risk of altering sample outcomes is significantly reduced with hair analysis, ensuring a robust and reliable testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Silverton, CO: Our extensive network of testing centers provides easy access to services.

This convenience means in Silverton, CO, both local and national testing sites offer a smooth, straightforward examination process for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Silverton, CO: The process for hair testing is arranged to be straightforward and discreet, prioritizing individual privacy at every stage.

From ordering to obtaining the results, the system is designed to be user-friendly, catering to those who value confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Silverton, CO: Our pricing strategies are competitive, ensuring cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality.

With quick turnaround times, results are delivered promptly, offering exceptional value and reassurance to businesses regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Silverton, CO: Hair follicle drug tests provide quick results with exceptional accuracy. This method excels in detecting substances, offering results that employers can depend on for making informed decisions.

With hair testing, the precision is unmatched. Results are not only fast but also reliable, minimizing the risk of error and ensuring that substance use is effectively identified.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Silverton, CO: Using hair testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, lowering legal risks and boosting workplace safety.

Employers benefit from the reliability of this testing method as it reinforces compliance and fosters a secure working environment.

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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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