Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chamisal, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as a significant resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It retains a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide up to a 90-day detection interval for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a proportional amount of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core procedures in the lab processing of a drug test result involve Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. This process checks if the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not filled by an electronic tracking system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples that are potentially positive in Screening require a backup confirmation.

In cases where a sample is potentially positive at Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and set for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a much reduced concentration than other methods (such as urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing a presumptive positive are cleaned prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can exhibit a pattern of drug use over time, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses generally cost more than alternate drug testing techniques.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Elements such as hair pigmentation and personal differences in hair growth can impact the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in Chamisal, NM, the superior choice in drug testing is hair follicle analysis. While traditional urine tests have their place, hair testing offers unmatched benefits such as greater detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a more comprehensive view of drug use, making them preferable for employers and professionals seeking thorough screening methods.

Extended Detection Window

In Chamisal, NM, one of the standout benefits of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. Unlike other methods, these tests can trace drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a detailed view of an individual’s substance use history. Employers value this advantage as it aids in making informed decisions about potential hires or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Chamisal, NM benefits from using hair follicle tests as they greatly minimize the risk of tampering. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are much harder to adulterate, ensuring the results are reliable and indisputable. This makes them ideal for employers and legal entities prioritizing authenticity and accuracy in test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Residents and employers in Chamisal, NM benefit from our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, ensuring easy accessibility. Quick, efficient, and hassle-free, our locations are strategically placed to facilitate convenient testing for individuals and businesses everywhere.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Chamisal, NM, our hair follicle drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and respectful of your privacy. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, the process is both easy and confidential. We prioritize ensuring a smooth experience, addressing any concerns about privacy and usability.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Chamisal, NM enjoys competitive rates and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Our pricing is designed to offer value for businesses of all sizes, coupled with speedy results. This affordability and efficiency make our tests an appealing choice for employers needing fast and reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Chamisal, NM, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid and precise detection capabilities. These tests excel in accuracy, ensuring that substance use is identified with precision. Their efficiency means that results are delivered swiftly, offering invaluable insights into an individual's drug use history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Chamisal, NM find peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Complying with drug-free workplace policies becomes straightforward, reducing legal risks and fortifying safety. Hair tests provide confidence that workplace standards are upheld seamlessly, supporting both compliance and employee well-being.

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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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