Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carthage, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By capturing biomarkers within its fibers, hair retains a lengthy record of substance use. When sampled from the scalp, it can offer insight into a 3-month period of drug and alcohol intake. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for analysis and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional analytes, and/or those extending beyond 10 panels, 150mg is preferred. It's advised to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a corresponding quantity of body hair is viable. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair. In contrast, body hair covers all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug analysis outcome involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of introducing a sample into a laboratory environment. This phase involves ensuring the sample's proper seal and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. Though a cost-efficient approach to largely exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive result in Screening necessitates further validation for legal acceptability. Samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening require additional verification.

Upon a presumptive positive in the Screening stage, the same specimen undergoes further processing in Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair analysis is among the most challenging methods to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with a presumptive positive result are cleansed before Confirmation as required. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments detect drug usage over 90 days, whereas urine tests hold a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to falsify: A hair analysis is notably difficult to deceive, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Tracks usage history: It reveals usage trends over time, rather than pinpointing recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent ingestion: There is an estimated 5-7 day delay before drugs appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses are typically costlier than other testing options.
• Inconsistent outcomes: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can influence the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often misidentified as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines 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 Carthage, NM
Hair follicle testing provides superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests. With an extended detection window and near-impossible tampering, this method surpasses traditional tests by offering more reliable data on long-term substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Carthage, NM
Hair follicle testing stands out by detecting drugs for up to 90 days, offering a broader view of an individual's substance use history. This extensive window supports employers in making more informed decisions about their current or potential workforce.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Carthage, NM
Hair follicle tests are designed to be tamper-resistant, reducing the risk of adulterated samples. This feature ensures reliable, unquestionable results, providing confidence to employers and legal entities relying on the data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Carthage, NM
With our expansive network of testing centers, accessing our services is swift and hassle-free. Nationwide availability ensures prompt and convenient testing, especially crucial for employers with multiple sites.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Carthage, NM
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward and private. Ensuring ease of use and confidentiality makes this testing method appealing to both individuals and organizations.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Carthage, NM
We offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, making our hair follicle testing services accessible and valuable to organizations of all sizes. Emphasizing affordability, we provide excellent service without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Carthage, NM
Hair follicle drug tests deliver results with unmatched speed and precision. Known for their reliability, they accurately detect various substances, ensuring that both employers and individuals can trust the outcomes. The efficiency of these tests contributes to maintaining a safe and drug-free environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Carthage, NM
Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, helping employers mitigate legal risks and promote safety. The accuracy and reliability of these tests contribute significantly to peace of mind.

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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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