Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oreana, NV

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair chronicles a longer-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for these substances. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A collected sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising roughly 200 strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests including EtG, add-ons, or exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair denote only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test at the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where a sample is first processed into the laboratory system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Though a cost-effective method to rule out drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for admissibility in court. Samples that indicate positive during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is collected from the original specimen for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than seen in methods like urine or oral fluid tests, making hair drug screening particularly complex.

Positive results from screenings are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, any presumptive positive samples are cleansed as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the standards set by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Up to 90 days of drug usage can be identified, unlike urine tests which offer a briefer detection span.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, yielding more accurate results.
• Provides historical data: Shows a pattern of drug use over an extended period, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-usage.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite commonly being termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Oreana, NV
Hair testing outshines traditional urine tests, offering superior accuracy and reliability in detection. While urine tests capture recent drug use, hair tests reveal a broader substance history, providing deeper insight.

The advantages of hair testing include a longer detection period and enhanced detection accuracy. It stands strong against tampering, making it a more dependable choice for comprehensive drug use monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Oreana, NV
Hair follicle tests offer an impressive detection window up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain a fuller understanding of a subject's substance history.

This elongated period ensures that long-term patterns of drug use are exposed, ensuring a clear and thorough background check unmatched by traditional urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Oreana, NV
The nature of hair follicle tests significantly minimizes the chance of sample tampering, delivering robust and undisputable outcomes.

Its design thwarts attempts at alteration, ensuring that the integrity of the testing process is maintained, and providing results that instill confidence in their authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Oreana, NV
With numerous testing centers across the nation, including Oreana, Accredited Drug Testing provides accessible and efficient service.

This vast network ensures that drug testing can be conducted conveniently, reducing wait times and facilitating easy access to necessary services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Oreana, NV
Ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is streamlined, ensuring confidentiality and simplicity.

Concerns about privacy are expertly addressed, making the process user-friendly and secure for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Oreana, NV
We offer competitive pricing and rapid processing times, delivering exceptional value for businesses.

By ensuring affordability and a quick turnaround, we support companies in maintaining effective and budget-conscious drug testing protocols.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Oreana, NV
Hair follicle drug tests in Oreana ensure precision and swiftness, efficiently detecting substance use. Their high accuracy provides a clear and credible picture, offering trustworthy results for employers and individuals alike.

The methodology behind hair testing guarantees specific and timely feedback, making it a preferred choice for those seeking reliable outcomes. With swift processing times, these tests prove invaluable for quick decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Oreana, NV
Hair follicle testing supports adherence to workplace drug policies, mitigating legal risks and boosting safety standards.

Employers gain peace of mind, assured that the processes in place safeguard against drug use, ensuring a compliant and safe 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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