Hair Follicle Drug Testing - St. Ann Highlands, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a potent technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows, hair provides an extensive historical record of drug and alcohol use. When samples are taken near the scalp, they can offer roughly a three-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to ship.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG analyses, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. When head hair is referenced, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the process of initially entering a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process includes checking if the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach to eliminate drug use on the majority of samples, any positive screening must be confirmed for it to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples that show presumptive positive results in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

For samples that test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are removed from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation when necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review 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 identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating on a hair drug test is quite challenging, ensuring more accurate results.
• Provides historical data: It reveals a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in St. Ann Highlands, CO, the benefits are clear. Hair testing offers superior accuracy and dependability. Unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection windows, hair tests can uncover drug use over a longer timeline, supporting stringent drug screening policies.

Employers preferring comprehensive detection choose hair tests, as they are nearly impervious to evasion, ensuring a level of scrutiny that urine tests cannot match.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in St. Ann Highlands, CO allows for an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This long-term observation is crucial for employers seeking a thorough understanding of a candidate or employee's substance use history.

Informed decisions based on a comprehensive drug use profile are facilitated by this expanded testing span, offering greater insights than traditional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In St. Ann Highlands, CO, hair follicle testing provides a tamper-resistant method for drug screening. This process drastically reduces the risk of sample adulteration, making the results robust and indisputable.

Integrity of testing is critical, and hair testing ensures that samples reflect genuine substance use patterns rather than manipulated outcomes, offering peace of mind for decision-makers.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible testing is made easy in St. Ann Highlands, CO, with our convenient nationwide centers. Hassle-free access to drug testing services is assured, aiding individuals and businesses in obtaining quick and efficient service.

Convenience and speed define our locations, catering to a diverse clientele eager for seamless testing experiences without complication.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simplicity and confidentiality are at the core of our testing process in St. Ann Highlands, CO. From ordering to receiving results, each step is carefully managed to respect privacy and ensure ease.

The discreet approach mitigates concerns of privacy breaches, reassuring users of the secure handling of sensitive data throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In St. Ann Highlands, CO, we offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, providing exceptional value for organizations of various sizes.

The combination of affordability and rapid service positions us as a preferred choice among businesses looking for economical yet trustworthy drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In St. Ann Highlands, CO, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their accuracy and speed in delivering results. Their heightened precision in detecting substance use makes them an increasingly popular choice. Effective detection methods ensure trust in the results, making them reliable for critical decision-making.

Rapid processing in local centers allows for timely feedback, ensuring that both individuals and organizations can move forward with certainty and confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in St. Ann Highlands, CO, hair follicle testing affords compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and enhancing safety. By adopting this thorough testing method, employers can ensure adherence to regulations while maintaining a secure environment for employees.

The confidence in tested results also contributes to organizational well-being, promoting a high level of trust in internal policies.

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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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