Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Blanco, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by ensnaring biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair offers up to roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. In reference to head hair, only scalp hair is considered. Body hair denotes all other hair types (including facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample in a laboratory’s system. This process involves confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening demand a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity at the Screening stage, more hair is sourced from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than seen in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening a methodology of high complexity.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection periods.
• Cheating is hard: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Provides usage history: It offers insights into patterns of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the evaluation focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Blanco, NM involves comparing the strengths of hair testing over urine tests. Hair follicle testing offers superior detection over longer periods, noting drug use cannot be easily hidden as with urine tests.

The accuracy and reliability of hair testing mean employers receive consistent results, with a much lower risk of tampering compared to urine samples.

Extended Detection Window

The Extended Detection Window in Blanco, NM is a significant advantage of hair follicle testing. It traces drug use up to 90 days, offering a broad overview of an individual's substance history.

Employers gain valuable insights into applicants or employees' long-term drug habits, facilitating more competent hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Blanco, NM is a pivotal aspect of hair follicle testing. These tests significantly reduce sample adulteration risks, ensuring reliable outcomes.

The collection process, coupled with the test's resilience against tampering, provides unquestionable results, enhancing trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Blanco, NM make hair follicle testing readily accessible. Our centers offer quick, hassle-free access, enhancing the testing experience.

Whether local or nationwide, our facilities ensure that testing needs are met with ease, providing unparalleled convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Blanco, NM streamlines ordering, taking, and receiving test results. We uphold privacy, addressing any confidentiality concerns effectively.

Our straightforward process is designed to be user-friendly while maintaining high standards of discretion, easing the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Blanco, NM are a hallmark of our services. Competitive pricing combined with quick result delivery offers excellent value for various businesses.

Our cost-effective tests ensure financial prudence without compromising on quality or speed, suited for organizations of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Blanco, NM are key benefits of hair follicle drug tests. These tests provide high precision, ensuring quick and definitive detection of various substances.

Hair testing leads the way in accuracy, efficiently identifying drug use, helping employers make informed decisions regarding potential hires or existing employees.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Blanco, NM is assured through hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to workplace policies, mitigating legal risks.

Using hair testing fosters a safer work environment, granting employers peace of mind about maintaining a drug-free workplace effectively.

Drug Testing Near Blanco, NM

Fruitland, NM

San Juan, NM

Ojo Amarillo, NM

Kirtland, NM

Simpson-Chaco, NM

Upper Fruitland, NM

La Plata, NM

Farmington, NM

Flora Vista, NM

Spencerville, NM

Lee Acres, NM

Aztec, NM

Bloomfield, NM

Navajo Dam, NM

Turley, NM

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews