Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Berino, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of the hair's growth. When taken close to the scalp, hair can present a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal portion for examination and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample is advised. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair may be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of handling a drug test result in a lab consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the sample's initial processing into the lab's system. This includes confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary quick check for drug abuse. While screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples that test presumptively positive in screening require a subsequent confirmation.

If screening indicates a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation for extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples testing presumptively positive are washed before confirmation if needed. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to falsify: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, providing more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use across a stretch of time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot determine recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to appear detectable in hair.
• Prone to cost: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other drug-testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Berino, NM, surpasses urine tests by providing a longer detection window and more reliability.
Hair tests accurately detect drug use over months, unlike urine tests which only show recent usage. This extended insight aids employers in maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Compared to urine tests, hair analyses are harder to tamper with, offering a superior measure of assurance and reliability.

Extended Detection Window

In Berino, NM, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection period for drug use, covering up to 90 days.
This enables employers to gain a thorough understanding of an employee's or candidate's substance history, supporting informed decisions regarding hiring or ongoing employment.

The longer detection window provided by hair testing is particularly beneficial in evaluating long-term substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Berino, NM, significantly minimize the risk of sample tampering.
Due to the methodological rigor and secure handling involved, these tests ensure that the results are reliable and trustworthy.

Employers benefit from the reduced possibility of sample manipulation, making hair testing a dependable choice for comprehensive drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Berino, NM, our nationwide testing centers offer unparalleled convenience with easy access to testing services.
Clients can quickly find a local facility, ensuring a hassle-free experience and prompt test completion.

Our widespread locations guarantee that testing is both straightforward and accessible, streamlining the drug testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Berino, NM, the process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential.
From ordering tests to obtaining results, each step safeguards client privacy, making the experience stress-free.

Our commitment to a simple and discreet process ensures that individuals feel secure throughout the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive pricing and quick results for hair follicle testing in Berino, NM.
This affordability, coupled with rapid turnaround times, provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes seeking reliable drug screening solutions.

By choosing our services, companies benefit from cost-effective, efficient testing processes that deliver peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Berino, NM, the precision and promptness of hair follicle drug tests stand out. Known for their high accuracy, these tests provide reliable substance detection.
The quick turnaround time means results are delivered faster than traditional methods, making them a preferred option for timely decision-making.

With fast and dependable outcomes, hair follicle drug tests in Berino ensure that employers receive accurate information swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Choosing hair follicle testing in Berino, NM, aligns with maintaining workplace compliance and safety.
Employers can rest easy knowing they are adhering to drug-free policies while mitigating legal risks and promoting a healthy work environment.

Implementing these tests can provide assurance and peace of mind, significantly enhancing overall workplace 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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