Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Armijo, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and other substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When harvested close to the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easily collected, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, approximately 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil), near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The main four stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the initial processing of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be affirmed for court validity. Samples that show presumptive positive results during Screening require secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a notably lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screen result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug intake for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection windows.
• Reduced chance of manipulation: It is extremely hard to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: This can display drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: Drugs become traceable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Armijo, NM, hair follicle testing provides clear benefits over traditional urine tests. Hair testing detects drug use over a much more extended period, typically up to 90 days, which surpasses the shorter detection window of urine tests.

The reliability and accuracy of hair follicle tests make them a superior choice. Urine tests may be unable to detect drug usage beyond a short window, whereas hair tests provide comprehensive insights.

Extended Detection Window

One of the greatest advantages of hair follicle testing in Armijo, NM, is its extended detection window. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests can uncover drug use from up to 90 days prior, offering a greater understanding of an individual's substance habits.

Employers benefit from this extended detection range, as it provides a broader view of an employee’s or applicant's behavior over an extended period, aiding in making informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Armijo, NM, offer a tamper-resistant testing method. This type of testing significantly reduces the potential for adulteration, ensuring that the results are reliable and indisputable.

The secure nature of hair tests means that they are nearly impossible to cheat. This integrity in testing helps organizations maintain trust in their drug testing procedures and results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing locations, including local centers in Armijo, NM, obtaining a hair follicle test has never been easier. Our widespread network ensures swift and stress-free access to testing services.

Whether you're in a major city or a small community, our goal is to provide easy, hassle-free testing accessibility to suit all patron needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Armijo, NM, is both simple and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving results is straightforward, addressing concerns regarding privacy effectively.

By prioritizing confidentiality and ease of use, the testing process respects individual privacy while ensuring that employers receive the data they need to make informed decisions.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle drug tests in Armijo, NM, are offered at affordable pricing with fast turnaround. Our competitive pricing structures mean that businesses of any size can access reliable testing services.

Quick turnaround times ensure that decisions concerning employment or compliance can be made swiftly, providing excellent value and peace of mind to organizations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Armijo, NM, ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results for detecting substance use. This method is favored for its precision and speed, providing high accuracy levels that are unmatched by other forms of testing.

With hair testing, substances used over an extended period can be identified quickly. The results offer peace of mind to employers who need to verify their employees' or applicants' substance use history effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle tests in Armijo, NM, provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. These tests help ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing the risk of legal issues.

By implementing these tests, employers can enhance workplace safety and security, securing a work environment where drug use is less likely to compromise productivity or safety.

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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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