Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Simla, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is acknowledged as a highly effective approach for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a repository for a long-term record of alcohol and other drug usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair samples are taken close to the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair sampling is easy to conduct, challenging to falsify, and simple to transport.

Gathering a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp produces about 100mg of hair, which is the benchmark sample size for both screening and validation. For EtG tests, additional analyses, and/or tests over 10 panels, around 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for measuring the sample’s weight. In cases where scalp hair cannot be taken, a similar amount of body hair can be used as a substitute. When mentioning head hair, it exclusively relates to scalp hair. In contrast, body hair includes any other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in the lab procedure for processing a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the preliminary processing of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This process checks that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any further data entry that an electronic chain of custody system doesn’t cover.

Screening includes an initial swift analysis for commonly abused drugs. Though Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, positive screening results must be substantiated to hold up in court. Samples indicating a presumptive positive at this stage need a follow-up confirmation.

In cases where a sample is presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During this stage, substances are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are used to confirm any positive preliminary screening results. As needed, all samples identified as presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation. The complete lab protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and the 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, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a shorter detection window.
• Challenging to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is quite difficult, thus enhancing result precision.
• Supplies historical insights: It provides an overview of an individual's drug use over a broad timeframe, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: Drugs only become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Simla, CO
Hair follicle tests offer superior accuracy when detecting substance use compared to urine tests. The precision and reliability of hair testing make it a preferred method for many employers and institutions in Simla, CO.

With a longer detection period and less vulnerability to tampering, hair tests provide an unmatched level of assurance. They ensure a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, unlike the limited scope of urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Simla, CO
One of the notable advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to trace drug use for up to 90 days. This extended detection window gives employers in Simla, CO, a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate's substance history.

Such insight is valuable in maintaining workplace safety and ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. The prolonged duration of hair tests contrasts sharply with the narrow detection period offered by other methods like urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Simla, CO
Hair follicle drug tests are highly resistant to tampering, providing unparalleled reliability in Simla, CO. The test's design makes it difficult to alter or adulterate the samples, ensuring the accuracy of the results.

Employers and legal entities can trust the integrity of hair tests, as the methodology effectively prevents dishonest attempts to manipulate outcomes. This characteristic reinforces the test's credibility and utility in various scenarios.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Simla, CO
Accredited Drug Testing offers testing services across the nation, including locations right in Simla, CO. This extensive network ensures quick and efficient access to hair follicle drug testing.

Customers can find a testing center nearby, making the process of getting tested convenient and hassle-free. The local availability of services means individuals and companies can undertake testing with minimal disruption to their schedules.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Simla, CO
The process for hair follicle testing in Simla, CO, is straightforward and respects client confidentiality. From ordering the test to receiving the results, steps are designed to be simple and secure.

Privacy is a top priority, ensuring that all information is handled with discretion. This commitment to confidentiality, combined with ease of access, makes the testing experience seamless for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Simla, CO
Accredited Drug Testing delivers cost-effective hair follicle testing solutions in Simla, CO. Our competitive pricing structures cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring excellent value.

The quick turnaround of test results enhances the overall experience, allowing companies to make informed decisions swiftly. This balance of affordability and efficiency provides peace of mind to all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Simla, CO
Hair follicle drug testing offers a real edge with its speed and precision. In Simla, CO, these tests provide high accuracy in identifying substance use, giving both employers and individuals confidence in the results.

The process is swift, typically delivering outcomes faster than other methods. This ensures timely decision-making based on precise data, enhancing overall trust in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Simla, CO
Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers in Simla, CO, adhere to drug-free workplace regulations. These tests minimize legal risks by providing a robust mechanism for screening employees.

Ensuring policy compliance through reliable testing fosters a safer work environment, reducing the potential for drug-related incidents. The peace of mind afforded by these tests is invaluable for both employers and employees alike.

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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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