Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stonington, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures biomarkers in its strands, offering a prolonged record of substance use. When trimmed near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a roughly 90-day period. Collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch sample, approximately 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil), nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It is advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. In cases where scalp hair is unobtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When head hair is mentioned, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab process for drug testing results comprise Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial intake of a sample into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and includes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-efficient to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen result requires verification to be valid for legal proceedings. Any samples with a presumptive positive screen necessitate a secondary confirmation.

For samples with a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This step extracts drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), establishing hair drug testing as the most challenging methodology to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test proves very difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It unveils patterns of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair and urine drug tests in Stonington, CO, hair testing offers distinct advantages. Its longer detection window and resistance to tampering make it more reliable. Unlike urine tests, hair testing can reveal a history of drug use up to 90 days, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Stonington, CO, benefit from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection period. Capable of revealing drug use over the past 90 days, this method offers an in-depth insight into one’s substance history. It equips employers with the information needed to make more informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Stonington, CO, offers a tamper-resistant approach to drug testing. By significantly reducing the possibility of sample manipulation, it provides unquestionable reliability. This security ensures that results are trustworthy, contributing to a safer and more compliant workplace environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our network of testing centers across Stonington, CO, and nationwide ensures testing is convenient and hassle-free. With numerous accessible locations, obtaining a hair follicle drug test is straightforward and efficient, allowing individuals to access services quickly and at their convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Stonington, CO, is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, each step protects privacy while ensuring ease of use. Individuals can feel secure knowing their information is handled with the utmost care, ensuring confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Stonington, CO, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced, offering excellent value. With fast turnaround times, companies of all sizes can benefit from cost-effective and efficient testing solutions, ensuring they receive the results they need without delay.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stonington, CO, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision and speed. With superior accuracy, it detects substance use reliably, ensuring peace of mind for both employers and individuals. A quick turnaround time ensures that results are available promptly, facilitating informed decision-making in a timely manner.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Choosing hair follicle testing ensures compliance for employers in Stonington, CO. This method supports workplace drug-free policies effectively, reducing potential legal risks. By promoting safety and peace of mind, it aids in maintaining a secure working environment for all employees.

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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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