Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Adelino, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. Collection of hair is straightforward, tampering with it is relatively challenging, and it is easy to transport.

A section measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair cannot be sourced, a similar volume of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, it specifically implies scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test result in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the first-stage processing of a sample upon entering the laboratory's system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any further data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug use. Although Screening is cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Samples that are presumably positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample results in a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is gathered from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), hence hair drug testing presents as the most challenging technique to perform.

Confirmation of any results that are positive during screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned as necessary before confirmation. The overall lab procedures from Accessioning to Confirmation are reviewed and comply with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug testing can trace drug use for as long as 90 days, especially when compared to urine tests which have shorter timelines.
• Challenging to falsify: Tampering with hair drug tests is notably challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: This test can reveal drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Possible result discrepancies: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the skin

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Adelino, NM When comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine analyses, the former shines as a superior option, offering better detection accuracy. The reliability of hair tests lies in their ability to provide a more comprehensive overview of substance use history.

Employers value hair tests for their extended detection window, surpassing the limitations seen with urine tests. This enhanced window allows for a more detailed insight, often covering up to 90 days of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Adelino, NM Hair follicle testing offers a significantly prolonged detection timeline, reaching up to 90 days. This feature provides employers and other stakeholders with a wider lens through which to evaluate an individual's substance use history.

This extensive timeframe offers a more complete view of past usage patterns, assisting in decision-making processes regarding employment and legal matters, ensuring a better understanding of long-term habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Adelino, NM One significant advantage of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering, ensuring sample integrity. By significantly reducing the chances of adulteration, these tests offer solid reliability of results.

The immutable nature of hair samples means they offer a reliable resource for accurate testing, protecting against attempts to influence outcomes and providing confidence in the results obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Adelino, NM Our testing centers, located conveniently across the nation, ensure quick, hassle-free access. In Adelino, NM, individuals enjoy local options designed for ease of testing.

Whether across the country or right around the corner, our facilities offer both accessibility and comfort, making the testing process as stress-free as possible for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Adelino, NM Ordering and taking hair follicle tests is a breeze, with a straightforward process designed to prioritize confidentiality. With an accessible and private approach, users study from doubting the protection of their personal data.

Clear instructions and a seamless system ensure that from the initial sign-up to receiving results, the entire process maintains the privacy and simple nature it promises.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Adelino, NM Our competitive pricing structure ensures that businesses of all sizes can access top-tier hair follicle tests without breaking the budget. Coupled with our fast turnaround times, we offer excellent value to all clients.

Quick and reliable processing ensures that users receive results promptly, maintaining cost-effectiveness alongside premium service quality and efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Adelino, NM Hair follicle drug tests deliver unmatched precision and speed, accentuating their high success in detecting substance use. Employers can trust the quick turnaround and detailed insights provided by these tests, ensuring a speedy overview of any individual's history.

With accuracy at the forefront, hair testing stands as a pinnacle of reliability, ensuring results are consistent and trustworthy. The expedited process ensures results are prompt, allowing employers to make informed decisions swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Adelino, NM Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with maintaining a drug-free workplace, supporting compliance with corporate policies. This adherence greatly minimizes legal risks while promoting safety in the workplace.

Employers can rest easy, knowing these tests provide comprehensive data, supporting informed decisions, and helping maintain a safe, compliant operating environment.

Drug Testing Near Adelino, NM

Madrone, NM

Pueblitos, NM

Jarales, NM

Los Lunas, NM

El Cerro, NM

Monterey Park, NM

Rio Communities, NM

Los Trujillos, NM

Las Maravillas, NM

Valencia, NM

Belen, NM

Los Chavez, NM

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews