Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Southwest Arapahoe, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow, hair offers an extended record of alcohol and drug presence. A sample taken near the scalp can reflect up to 3 months of drug and alcohol history. The sample collection is straightforward, hard to alter, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp supplies 100mg of hair, which is ideal for analysis. For tests requiring EtG add-ons or when exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to verify the weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair is an alternative. For "head hair" we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas "body hair" covers all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result entails four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning stage consists of initially entering a sample into the lab's system. This step includes checking the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry elements absent in electronic chain of custody records.

The Screening phase conducts a preliminary assessment for controlled substances. It’s an economical approach for eliminating drug presence in many samples; however, court-admissibility requires confirmatory testing for any positive results from Screening. Presumptive positive samples must undergo further confirmation.

When a specimen indicates a potential positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction process. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other techniques like urine or oral fluid, making hair analysis a more challenging method to execute.

A positive result requires Confirmation using procedures such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed appropriately before Confirmation. Throughout the laboratory process—from Accessioning to Confirmation—the procedures adhere to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and meet ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for an extended period, up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter span of detection.
• Challenge to deceive: Tampering with a hair drug test is notably difficult, thus ensuring greater result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It can reveal a timeline of drug use rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Detectable drug levels in hair take around 5-7 days to appear.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing techniques.
• Result variation: Differences in hair color and individual hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Even though often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle itself.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Southwest Arapahoe, CO, outshines urine tests in various aspects. With superior detection accuracy, hair tests provide more reliable results, crucial for employers enforcing drug-free policies. The lengthy detection window further ensures that substance use is comprehensively captured, enhancing workplace integrity and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

In Southwest Arapahoe, CO, hair follicle testing offers a prolonged drug detection period, extending up to 90 days. This extended window enables employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use history. As a result, hiring decisions are better informed, ensuring a drug-free and productive workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test in Southwest Arapahoe, CO, is renowned for its resistance to tampering. This method significantly reduces the possibility of adulteration, providing reliable and unquestionable results. Consequently, employers and organizations can rest assured that the drug test results accurately reflect the true substance use of the individual.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations

Accredited Drug Testing boasts convenient nationwide centers, including those in Southwest Arapahoe, CO. This widespread reach means that accessing testing services is quick and straightforward. Employers and individuals alike benefit from the ease and efficiency of our testing process, ensuring no disruptions to personal or professional life.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Southwest Arapahoe, CO, is straightforward and respects privacy. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are simple steps designed to protect confidentiality. This ease of use eliminates barriers to testing, fostering a seamless experience while maintaining discretion and user confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Southwest Arapahoe, CO, combines competitive pricing with fast turnaround times. Our service provides exceptional value for employers of all sizes, ensuring that budget constraints do not impede access to reliable drug testing. The swift results further emphasize our commitment to customer satisfaction.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed of Hair Testing

In Southwest Arapahoe, CO, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their fast and accurate results. They are adept at detecting substance use, offering unparalleled precision. This method ensures that employers can rely on the information, making informed decisions quickly, enhancing workplace safety, and upholding company standards efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind

Hair follicle testing in Southwest Arapahoe, CO, aids employers in adhering to drug-free workplace policies. By implementing this reliable testing method, companies mitigate legal risks and enhance site safety. The assurance of compliance brings peace of mind, enabling a focus on core business activities without concerns of non-compliance.

Drug Testing Near Southwest Arapahoe, CO

Acres Green, CO

Holly Hills, CO

Gateway, CO

Columbine Valley, CO

Sheridan, CO

Castlewood, CO

Englewood, CO

Littleton, CO

Cherry Hills Village, CO

Southglenn, CO

Greenwood Village, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews