Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Twin Mountain, NH

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective resource for spotting the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a prolonged history of these substances by capturing biomarkers within the strands' fibers as they grow. Gathered near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment from approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the ideal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing. If scalp hair isn't present, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. ‘Head hair’ specifically means scalp hair. 'Body hair' covers all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Overview of the Process

There are four primary steps in the laboratory procedure of processing a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial processing of a sample into a lab's system. This process makes sure the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most samples, positives require confirmation for use in legal proceedings. Positive samples in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. At this point, drugs are drawn out from hair at a much reduced concentration than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), forming the basis for the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, any presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed. The comprehensive lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is supervised under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have shorter detection periods.
• Difficulty in falsification: Manipulating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Historical usage data: It offers a timeline of drug use over a period, not solely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires five to seven days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative testing approaches.
• Variability: Factors such as hair shade and individual growth rates can influence the concentration of drug traces in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests offer vast improvements over traditional urine tests in Twin Mountain, NH. They provide a longer detection period for drug use, giving an accurate reflection of a person's substance use history over several months.

Additionally, the robustness of hair follicle testing makes it nearly impossible to cheat, unlike urine tests where samples can be easily tampered with or substituted. This enhanced reliability offers a more dependable choice for screening in Twin Mountain, NH.

Extended Detection Window

In Twin Mountain, NH, hair follicle testing excels with its ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior, providing employers a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee’s history. This extended detection window surpasses other testing methods significantly.

Employers looking for a comprehensive assessment of substance use patterns find hair follicle testing invaluable, as its long-range detection allows for better-informed decisions in hiring and monitoring processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tampering with drug testing results is a challenge in Twin Mountain, NH. However, hair follicle tests are designed to reduce this risk significantly, ensuring the integrity of each sample remains intact.

Unlike urine tests, hair samples provide consistent and reliable data that cannot be altered. This makes hair follicle testing an essential tool for those requiring trustworthy results in various professional settings across Twin Mountain, NH.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing presents convenience for Twin Mountain, NH residents with nationwide testing centers, making accessing our services straightforward and stress-free.

Whether in any city or locally in Twin Mountain, NH, our extensive network ensures you have a nearby option for conducting hair follicle drug tests with ease and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Twin Mountain, NH, Accredited Drug Testing offers a streamlined and confidential process for conducting drug tests. From ordering to taking the test and getting results, privacy is prioritized each step of the way.

This straightforward process is designed to address privacy concerns effectively, providing an easy-to-follow and discreet testing experience for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Twin Mountain, NH, offers competitive pricing models, ensuring our services remain accessible for businesses of all sizes. We understand the importance of balancing quality with affordability.

In addition, our fast turnaround time ensures that you get results without unnecessary delays, reinforcing the value and efficiency of choosing our hair follicle drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The advanced technology in hair follicle drug tests ensures swift and precise results for Twin Mountain, NH. With outstanding accuracy in revealing substance use, these tests provide reliable outcomes that cater to both personal and professional needs.

The quick processing time for hair follicle drug tests allows individuals and employers in Twin Mountain, NH, to obtain results rapidly, enhancing decision-making and minimizing downtime. This speed and precision make it a preferred option for urgent testing requirements.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Twin Mountain, NH, ensuring a drug-free work environment is vital. Hair follicle testing helps meet compliance regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and promoting safer workplaces.

By implementing hair follicle drug testing in their drug screening policies, companies can achieve peace of mind, knowing their programs meet industry standards and safeguard employee and operational integrity effectively.

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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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