Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Alamo, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair strand analysis is recognized as an effective instrument for identifying substance use. The hair retains a historical record of substances by encasing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sample is acquired near the scalp, it can supply up to a 90-day detection timeframe for substances. The sample is straightforward to obtain, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to send.

A 1.5-inch length comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (akin to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for both screening and verification procedures. For EtG enhancements and/or assays exceeding 10 panels, a sample quantity of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair not be present, a comparable amount of body hair is allowable. “Head hair” pertains solely to scalp hair, while “body hair” encompasses all other hair varieties (beard, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The foundational stages in the lab processing of a drug assay result involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing phase where a sample enters a lab's system. This phase entails confirming the sample's seal and shipment integrity, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any extra data absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial fast filter for substance abuse detection. While it offers a budget-friendly approach for ruling out substance presence in most specimens, a screen revealing substances must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples with a positive preliminary screen necessitate a confirmatory follow-up.

Upon a positive preliminary finding in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample undergoes preparation for Extraction. Here, substances are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or saliva), highlighting why hair-based analysis is notably challenging.

Confirmed positives from preliminary findings undergo analysis via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positives are cleansed as required before confirmation. Throughout the laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, protocols are reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Pros of hair strand analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair analysis can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine analysis, which has a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating on a hair analysis is highly difficult, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Reveals usage history: It can depict usage habits over time, not just recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: A timeframe of approximately 5-7 days is necessary for substances to be evident in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair analyses incur higher costs than other substance testing techniques.
• Result inconsistencies: Elements like hair color and individual growth patterns can influence the level of substance metabolites in the hair.

Note: The test is often mistaken for "hair follicle testing", however, it actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers notable advantages over urine tests in Alamo, NM. A primary benefit is the extensive detection period, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of drug use history. Hair tests are less invasive and maintain their integrity better than urine samples, which are more susceptible to tampering.
Employers and institutions who prioritize high standards often opt for hair over urine testing due to these benefits.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Alamo, NM offers an edge for employers. Unlike traditional methods, these tests span up to 90 days of past usage, presenting a broad perspective on substance history. Employers can make informed decisions based on accurate and extended data. This feature improves the understanding of an individual's long-term habits significantly.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Alamo, NM is remarkably tamper-resistant. The procedure, which collects samples under observation, greatly diminishes chances of alteration. This reliability ensures authenticity in results, offering peace of mind for institutions concerned about sample integrity. The method's resistance to tampering stands out compared to more conventional testing practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing facilities, including those in Alamo, NM, offer unmatched convenience. Having numerous centers ensures that testing services are easily accessible without hassle.
Whether local or across the country, we provide seamless service to all clients. Simple access reduces procedure time and facilitates a smooth testing experience for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and completing hair follicle testing in Alamo, NM is a straightforward and confidential process. Clients are guided through each step ensuring privacy is upheld. Results are disclosed through secure channels, safeguarding sensitive information.
This simplicity and discretion are central to our service, addressing both ease of use and confidentiality concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive prices and fast processing in Alamo, NM, our hair follicle tests present great value. The affordability coupled with quick turnaround renders them cost-effective for businesses of various sizes. Our approach to pricing ensures financial accessibility while delivering speedy results, providing reassurance and economical ease to all clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For fast and precise results in Alamo, NM, hair follicle drug testing is unmatched. The procedure delivers accurate detection of substances with dependability in assessment.
Results are generally swift, ensuring quick turnaround and reliable conclusions.
Such efficiency places hair testing ahead in scenarios requiring rapid and exact detection for substance use evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Alamo, NM find assurance in the compliance that hair follicle testing brings. This method aligns with drug-free workplace policies and minimizes potential legal issues.
Utilizing such reliable tests enhances workplace safety, as it accurately identifies substance use patterns. Companies maintain a safer environment, benefitting both employees and the management team alike.

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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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