Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Strasburg, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now widely regarded as an effective tool for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair serves to capture a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the progressively growing hair strand. When taken from the scalp, hair can offer nearly a three-month detection horizon for alcohol and various drugs. Its collection is straightforward, tampering is somewhat challenging, and shipping is convenient.

A 1.5-inch hair sample containing roughly 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, enhancements, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is beneficial to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, an equal quantity of body hair may be substituted. When referencing head hair, it pertains strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming that the sample remained sealed and was sent appropriately, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), along with completing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening consists of an initial expedited assessment for drugs of abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient means to rule out drug consumption in the majority of cases, a positive screen must be confirmed to be permissible in judicial settings. Any samples that yield presumptively positive results during Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If a test sample shows potential positive results in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo a cleaning process before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection range.
• Difficulty to cheat: It's exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, thus the results are more reliable.
• Provides historical data: It can indicate a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs require around 5-7 days before they become detectable within hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Variables such as hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While referred to frequently as "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing hair follicle testing against traditional urine tests showcases clear benefits.

• Superior Detection: Hair tests provide a broader detection range, extending up to 90 days, unlike the limited window of urine tests.
• Reliability: Hair tests offer consistent results, making them a top choice for accurate drug history assessment.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Strasburg, CO, offers comprehensive insights into an individual's drug history. This method covers substance use up to 90 days, far exceeding the capacity of traditional tests. For employers, this means a more thorough assessment of an employee's past drug use, enhancing workplace safety and decision-making quality with its far-reaching detection ability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Strasburg, CO, hair follicle tests are highly resistant to tampering, offering a reliable testing method. The observed collection process ensures sample integrity, significantly reducing the risk of adulteration or substitution. By choosing this testing method, employers are assured of dependable, unquestionable results, which are crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace and upholding test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key with nationwide testing locations reaching Strasburg, CO. With numerous centers, testing is quick, easy, and hassle-free. Clients can access a nearby testing center without long-distance travel, promoting efficiency. Whether for personal or employer needs, localized testing is readily available, supporting prompt and convenient access to essential services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Strasburg, CO, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, with each step designed to protect privacy and confidentiality. This ease of use addresses any concerns about privacy, ensuring that individuals feel secure and comfortable while receiving accurate and timely test outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround times define the hair follicle testing services in Strasburg, CO. With affordable options, businesses of all sizes gain significant value, ensuring compliance at a reasonable cost. Swift processing ensures that results are returned promptly, supporting organizational needs and decision-making timelines effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Strasburg, CO, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. Precision is unparalleled, accurately identifying various substances. Rapid results streamline decision-making for employers and individuals, offering fast and reliable outcome delivery.
Accuracy in detection is crucial, making hair tests the preferred option for precise substance use identification.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Strasburg, CO, using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, providing peace of mind. This method supports legal adherence, minimizes risks, and enhances safety protocols. Employers benefit from the assurance that their workforce is adhering to drug-free standards, reducing litigation risks and fostering a secure work 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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