Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tarryall, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair screening is now recognized as a potent means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-lasting record of alcohol and various substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it develops. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period extending up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is advised. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a proportional quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair refers strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the sample's initial integration into a laboratory's system. This step verifies that the sample was securely sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for substances of misuse. While Screening is cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed for legal acceptability. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample test tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this stage, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging procedure to execute.

Confirming any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation in addition to the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insights: It exhibits a pattern of drug consumption over an extended duration, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapability to identify recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth deviations may impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Tarryall, CO, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests that only detect recent drug use, hair tests provide a more extended detection window. This makes them more reliable for discerning long-term substance use patterns. Hair testing also reduces the chances of sample tampering and offers a more comprehensive understanding of a subject's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Tarryall, CO, gain a significant advantage with hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window. Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, providing a thorough assessment of an individual's substance history. This long-term detection capability allows companies to make informed decisions regarding potential employees and current workforce members, promoting a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the main advantages of hair follicle tests in Tarryall, CO, is their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are incredibly difficult to adulterate, ensuring reliability. This protects the integrity of the test results, offering certainty and trust in the outcomes. Employers benefit from this robust security, knowing results are genuine and unaltered.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing locations across Tarryall, CO, and Nationwide. Our extensive network ensures individuals and employers have easy access to drug testing services without hassle. This widespread reach means there is always a local testing center nearby, facilitating swift and effective service delivery and making it easier to maintain compliance with testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Tarryall, CO, Accredited Drug Testing promises a straightforward and private testing process. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed for user convenience while maintaining confidentiality. Concerns over privacy are addressed with high integrity, making the entire experience smooth. This ensures individuals undergo testing without undue stress, knowing their information is secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Tarryall, CO, provides cost-effective solutions with fast result turnaround. Our competitive pricing ensures that companies of all sizes receive tremendous value. Coupled with the rapid processing time of hair follicle tests, organizations can rely on us for timely and economical drug testing needs, ensuring peace of mind and sustained safety standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Tarryall, CO, provides rapid and accurate results. This method stands out for its precision and speed, making it an effective choice for detecting substance use. Employers and individuals benefit from the high accuracy provided by hair tests, leading to dependable outcomes in a timely manner. This ensures that substance use is identified efficiently, helping maintain safe and compliant environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Tarryall, CO, hair follicle testing ensures both compliance and peace of mind. By utilizing this method, businesses adhere to drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities. This proactive approach not only mitigates risks but also enhances workplace safety. The reassurance of using a precise and tamper-proof test safeguards organizational interests and employee well-being.

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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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