Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bluewater, NM

What it is, How it works

Seen as an effective tool, hair testing is valuable for uncovering drug and alcohol usage. Hair holds a lengthy history of substance exposure by capturing biomarkers within its growing strands. When obtained near the scalp, it offers nearly a three-month detection period for substances like alcohol. It's easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp equates to 100mg, ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or more than 10-panel tests, 150mg is preferred. We suggest weighing the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is absent, equivalent body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically means "scalp hair," while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of a drug test result is comprised of four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial entry of a sample into the lab's system, involving checks on proper sealing and shipping, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and input of essential data omitted by an electronic chain of custody.

In Screening, a quick drug abuse check is conducted. Although economical for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positivity in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

When Screening reveals a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the specimen for further analysis in the Extraction phase. Drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug screening highly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screen involves GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All presumptively positive samples undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are tough to falsify, leading to more accurate results.
• Illustrates historical usage: It can show a drug use pattern over time, not only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically costs more than other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites found.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bluewater, NM

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection rates and reliability. Hair samples present a longer detection window and are less prone to tampering, making them a valuable tool for employers and legal entities seeking effective substance monitoring methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bluewater, NM

With the ability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior, hair follicle testing gives employers a comprehensive view of a person's substance history. This extended window helps in making informed decisions regarding potential hires or current employees' compliance with drug-free policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bluewater, NM

The hair follicle test significantly reduces risks of sample adulteration, ensuring that results are both reliable and unquestionable. These tests present a robust method, advantageous to employers and courts who demand accuracy and integrity in drug screenings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bluewater, NM

With nationwide test centers, accessing drug testing services is hassle-free. Residents of Bluewater, NM, benefit from the quick and convenient options available locally, allowing for straightforward and efficient testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bluewater, NM

The ordering, testing, and result processes are designed to be simple and confidential, alleviating privacy concerns. Individuals can feel assured about the ease of use, knowing that their information and results are handled discreetly and efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bluewater, NM

Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times offer excellent value and assurance. Companies of all sizes benefit from these affordable options, maintaining peace of mind regarding their budgetary and operational needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bluewater, NM

Hair follicle drug tests offer precision and speed that are unmatched. From specimen collection to results, the process is streamlined to provide the highest accuracy levels in detecting substance use. This ensures that individuals or organizations receive detailed and trustworthy information promptly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bluewater, NM

Ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies through hair follicle testing can diminish legal risks and enhance safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing the screening method is thorough and aligns with their commitment to a secure working environment.

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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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