Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mercury, NV

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting substance use. Hair captures a prolonged record of drug and alcohol consumption by embedding biomarkers within its growing fibers. When collected near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month detection window for these substances. The collection process is straightforward, and the samples are resistant to tampering and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or when exceeding 10-panel tests, 150mg is advised. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. When we mention head hair, we expressly mean scalp hair. Body hair includes any other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial step that integrates the sample into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures that the sample is sealed and delivered correctly, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not captured electronically by the chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial evaluation for the presence of drugs. Though cost-effective for ruling out usage in most samples, a positive result in Screening needs validation to be legally admissible. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

Upon receiving a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is processed for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair testing the most challenging methodology.

Any positive findings from Screening must be affirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a cleaning process before Confirmation if necessary. Every stage from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection times.
• High resistance to tampering: It is challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring greater accuracy.
• Long-term insight: It can reveal a timeline of drug consumption, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher costs: Hair drug testing typically costs more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing has distinct advantages over urine tests in Mercury, NV. Providing superior detection accuracy, hair tests are less prone to tampering, unlike traditional urine tests, offering reliable results.

The extended detection window of hair tests, often up to 90 days, surpasses the shorter span typical of urine tests. This makes hair testing a preferred option for accurate assessments of substance use histories.

Extended Detection Window

The extended window of detection is a major advantage of hair follicle testing in Mercury, NV. With the ability to identify drug use for up to 90 days, employers gain a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

This longer period surpasses the limitations of urine tests, offering a broader understanding of an employee or applicant's drug use patterns, assisting in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Mercury, NV, offers a tamper-resistant solution to drug testing. This method minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, providing trusted and unquestionable results.

The collection process of hair samples makes it difficult for individuals to alter outcomes. This security and integrity in testing ensure reliable data for employers and authorities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide and local testing centers in Mercury, NV. This widespread availability ensures quick and hassle-free access to services.

The presence of local centers means individuals and employers benefit from easy scheduling and testing, greatly reducing travel and wait times for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Mercury, NV, the process of hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to collection and receiving results, privacy and user experience are prioritized.

Ensuring confidentiality at every step, clients find peace of mind in knowing their information is secure. The straightforward process also means minimal disruption to daily activities.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing provides affordable, competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Mercury, NV. Coupled with fast turnaround times, companies of all sizes enjoy excellent value.

Rapid processing and cost-effective services mean businesses receive premium testing without stretching budgets, ensuring swift and impactful decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Mercury, NV, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests stand out due to their precision in identifying substance use, ensuring employers receive dependable information.

Rapid processing within the hair follicle testing framework means results are delivered swiftly without compromising accuracy. This speed ensures timely decision-making for companies relying on these results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing enhances compliance and peace of mind for employers in Mercury, NV. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, organizations reduce legal risks and improve workplace safety.

This testing method strengthens employers' confidence in maintaining a drug-free environment, ensuring compliance with established regulations and standards.

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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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