Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Towaoc, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drug use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection span of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or analyses above 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types, such as facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system initially. This process encompasses verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra data entry that isn't covered by an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening is an initial swift check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be substantiated for court admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

In cases where a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a notably lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Towaoc, CO, hair follicle testing stands superior to urine testing. Accuracy is a primary advantage; hair tests minimize false negatives often associated with urine tests.

This method offers reliability, storing historical data better than urine tests. As a result, employers favor this method when they need a trustworthy assessment of drug history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Towaoc, CO, is game-changing. Unlike urine tests limited to detecting recent usage, hair tests provide a comprehensive drug use history spanning up to 90 days.

Employers benefit greatly from this expansive window, gaining a full perspective of applicant or employee substance use, promoting informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Towaoc, CO, excels in reducing the potential for sample tampering. Unlike urine samples that may be adulterated, hair tests offer tamper-resistant assurances.

These tests protect the integrity and reliability of results, ensuring unquestionable validity and upholding the stringent standards required by employers and authorities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient locations available across the country, including Towaoc, CO, our network of testing centers facilitates easy access. This broad reach guarantees a hassle-free testing experience for all participants.

No matter where you are situated, you can seamlessly undergo testing, contributing to a smooth and efficient process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Towaoc, CO, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, privacy and user-friendly operations are prioritized.

Clients can trust in a discreet, straightforward system, offering peace of mind regarding the confidentiality and security of their testing information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Towaoc, CO, ensures affordable pricing paired with swift turnaround times. Our cost-effective strategy provides excellent value for organizations of any size.

Employers trust our financially accessible services, accompanied by rapid result delivery, simplifying decision-making and highlighting exceptional cost-benefit ratios.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Towaoc, CO, offers quick, precise results that are unmatched by traditional methods. Efficiency is a hallmark of these tests, processing samples rapidly and providing rapid clarity on substance use.

These tests are celebrated for their high accuracy, effectively pinpointing drug use even when facing complex cases. Within no time, results are available, enabling timely decision-making with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Towaoc, CO, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies. This method significantly reduces legal vulnerabilities and fosters a safer work environment.

By adopting this reliable technique, employers ensure compliance with regulations, mitigating risks associated with workplace substance abuse liabilities.

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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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