Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Allison, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an influential instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy history of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers up to nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the prime sample for diagnostics and validation. For EtG, add-ons, or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. A jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If the scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" denotes scalp hair only. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process in a lab for processing a drug test outcome includes these four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the preliminary incorporation of a sample into a lab’s protocol. This phase includes checking that the sample remains sealed and shipped correctly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening pertains to an initial rapid evaluation for abuse drugs. Although a Economical solution to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates substantiation for court acceptance. Samples presumptively positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a specimen turns out presumptively positive in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most sophisticated technique to execute.

The confirmation of any affirmative screening outcome takes place through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards compliance.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection frame: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a narrower detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It provides a representation of drug usage patterns over time, besides recent usage.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly compared to other methods of drug testing.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can sway the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite often being mentioned as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation process examines 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 Allison, NM

Comparing hair tests with traditional urine tests, the former excels in detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing in Allison, NM, offers an extended detection window and reduced chances of tampering, making it a superior choice.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Allison, NM

Hair follicle testing in Allison, NM, provides a comprehensive detection period of up to 90 days. This long window offers employers a clear view of substance history, enhancing the evaluation process and ensuring informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Allison, NM

Hair follicle tests in Allison, NM, greatly minimize the risk of sample tampering. The test’s structure ensures reliable results, providing unquestionable evidence of substance use, bolstering trust in the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Allison, NM

With testing centers across the nation and locally in Allison, NM, access to hair follicle testing is straightforward. This widespread network ensures quick, easy, and stress-free testing services for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Allison, NM

The hair follicle testing process in Allison, NM, is both simple and confidential. From ordering tests to receiving results, the procedure respects privacy, ensuring ease of use and maintaining discretion throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Allison, NM

With competitive rates and swift turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Allison, NM, delivers value for companies of all sizes. This economical choice ensures high-quality results without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Allison, NM

In Allison, NM, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. With high accuracy levels, these tests effectively identify substance use, providing fast and trustworthy results, giving peace of mind to both employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Allison, NM

Employers in Allison, NM, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigates legal risks, and promotes a safe working environment for all employees.

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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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