Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Boles Acres, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair effectively chronicles long-term substance use by encapsulating identifiers in the strands as they develop. A sample taken near the scalp can provide a detection window of up to roughly 90 days for identifying alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

Collecting 1.5 inches of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) proximal to the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal quantity for testing. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, it's suggested to use 150mg of hair. Evaluating the weight on a jeweler’s scale is advised. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount from the body may be used. In discussions about head hair, it pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The drug testing process in a laboratory comprises four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primary phase where a sample enters the lab system. It encompasses verifying the sample's seal and proper shipment, assigning it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing necessary data entries not covered by an electronic system.

Screening involves an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples with presumed positives in Screening need secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original collection for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Positive screenings are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. The whole procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use over a span of up to 90 days, contrasting shorter detection periods in urine tests.
• Resistance to cheating: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring greater accuracy of results.
• Historical insight: Offers an overview of drug use patterns over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in the hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolites' concentration in the hair.

Note: Although commonly named "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Boles Acres, NM, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in multiple ways. Its superior detection accuracy provides a clearer picture of substance use over extended periods.

One of the key benefits of hair testing is its ability to detect a wide range of substances with high reliability. Unlike urine tests, which may miss recent use, hair tests offer comprehensive detection.

Hair testing's unparalleled reliability makes it the preferred choice for employers and courts looking to maintain drug-free environments. Its accuracy in Boles Acres, NM, ensures peace of mind.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Boles Acres, NM, reaches up to 90 days, surpassing normal urine tests. This offers a detailed analysis of substance use history.

Employers value the longer detection period afforded by hair follicle tests. It grants a comprehensive overview of an individual’s historical substance use.

In Boles Acres, NM, this extended detection window provides confidence and full view of an applicant or employee's drug-use history, supporting informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Boles Acres, NM, is a tamper-resistant method that significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration.

The secure nature of hair testing provides results that are not easily manipulated, ensuring integrity and reliability of the testing process.

This method’s robustness in Boles Acres, NM delivers unquestionable results that organizations can trust, strongly reducing chances of test cheating.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Boles Acres, NM, the convenience of having nationwide testing locations offers a hassle-free experience with Accredited Drug Testing.

We ensure quick and easy access to testing services across various locations, reducing travel and wait times for individuals and organizations.

Local centers close to Boles Acres, NM, add to the convenience, making drug testing processes straightforward and accessible for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and receiving hair follicle testing results in Boles Acres, NM is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

Our straightforward process from testing to result delivery ensures ease of use, guaranteeing client satisfaction and confidentiality.

In Boles Acres, NM, the entire testing journey is designed to offer simplicity and discretion, making it seamless for everyone involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

The competitive pricing and fast turnaround of hair follicle testing in Boles Acres, NM ensure that companies receive great value.

For businesses of all sizes, affordable rates coupled with quick result delivery make hair follicle testing a prudent choice.
Peace of mind and exceptional value are hallmarks of our service quality in Boles Acres, NM, maximizing client satisfaction and economical sense.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Boles Acres, NM ensures fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method stands out due to its precision in detecting substance use, offering a trusted alternative to traditional testing.

The speed of results with hair follicle testing is a significant advantage over other methods. Clients receive precise results swiftly, ensuring timely decision-making.

Reliability is a core benefit of hair follicle testing in Boles Acres, NM. With its high accuracy, the method is unmatched in providing dependable detection of substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Boles Acres, NM ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal risks.

Employers who adopt hair testing benefit from improved workplace safety and lowered liabilities. This reliable testing aligns with corporate standards.

For companies in Boles Acres, NM, using hair follicle testing fosters a compliant environment, granting peace of mind to employers through its thorough and trusted results.

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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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