Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Angel Fire, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive view of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional testing, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If no scalp hair is present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory's system, confirming the sample's seal and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry required beyond an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial swift check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to discount drug use in most samples, a positive result needs validation to be acceptable in court. All samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is regarded as the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical insight: It can depict a pattern of drug use over time, rather than solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Aspects such as hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Angel Fire, NM, offers superior detection benefits. It identifies drug use over a much longer duration, making it a more reliable choice for employers who are serious about maintaining a drug-free environment.

Hair testing's increased detection time allows for a more comprehensive analysis of an individual's substance use history, providing employers with better information to ensure a safe workplace.

Extended Detection Window

In Angel Fire, NM, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This extensive timeframe gives employers a more thorough overview of an applicant or current employee's drug history.

The long-lasting detection scope of hair testing enables organizations to assess behavioral patterns over an extended period, offering a more holistic view of substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant technology of hair follicle testing in Angel Fire, NM, ensures the integrity of the sample. Hair tests significantly reduce the likelihood of sample alteration, providing unquestionable results.

Employing a process that is consistently reliable, hair testing eliminates many common methods of test manipulation, making it a trusted choice for accurate drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering nationwide accessibility, our testing centers, including those in Angel Fire, NM, ensure convenient and easy access to our services. The widespread availability of our centers makes it possible for individuals to undergo testing with minimal hassle.

Our centers are strategically positioned to provide prompt access to necessary testing services, making the process stress-free and efficient for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Angel Fire, NM, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be both simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the process ensures privacy and ease for clients, addressing any concerns about personal data security.

The entire procedure, from start to finish, emphasizes privacy, ensuring that clients receive their results in a setting that respects their confidentiality and personal space.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Angel Fire, NM, is characterized by its affordable pricing and fast turnaround. This approach offers exceptional value while catering to companies of all sizes, providing peace of mind through competitive costs and efficient service delivery.

With rapid processing times and a focus on cost-effective solutions, our testing offers an attractive option for businesses aiming to balance quality and budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Angel Fire, NM, stand out for their speed and reliability. The process provides fast and accurate results, ensuring that individuals receive a timely analysis of their substance use. This makes hair testing a valuable tool for employers and individuals who depend on precise results.

With their high precision and speed, hair follicle tests are preferred for detecting a wide spectrum of substance use. The efficiency of results ensures minimal waiting time, helping employers make informed decisions quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Angel Fire, NM, provides employers with compliance and peace of mind, ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This testing type minimizes legal liabilities and promotes a safe work environment.

By adopting hair testing, businesses can demonstrate a commitment to safety and due diligence, reducing risks associated with non-compliance in their organizations.

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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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