Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chili, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains long-term evidence of substances by embedding biomarkers within its strands as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal a drug use history of around three months. It is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and validation. For tests like EtG, additional screenings, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. The use of a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. In absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair is a substitute. Head hair pertains strictly to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the sample's entry into the lab's workflow. This entails confirming the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing information not captured by an electronic custody system.

During Screening, an initial check for drugs of abuse is conducted. While it offers a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Samples showing a preliminary positive result in Screening require further confirmation.

For samples with a preliminary positive result in Screening, additional hair from the original collection undergoes preparation for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is accomplished through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, presumptive positive samples undergo washing as required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite difficult, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Supplies usage history: It indicates a timeline of drug consumption, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing techniques.
• Variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is of the hair strand, not the underlying follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Chili, NM, the superior detection capabilities of hair tests shine brightly. These tests offer enhanced reliability and accuracy, making them a more efficient choice for substance detection. Their longer detection window significantly improves the assessment of historical drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Chili, NM, presents an extended detection window of up to 90 days, unrivaled by other methods. This longer period allows employers to gain a holistic view of an individual’s substance use history, making it a valuable tool in assessing applicants or employees comprehensively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Chili, NM are recognized for their tamper-resistant nature, providing secure and unquestionable results. The testing method significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring the authenticity and reliability of the results obtained from every test conducted.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers stretch across the nation and include locations in Chili, NM, offering convenience and accessibility. Nationwide facilities ensure quick, easy, and hassle-free access to testing services, making it simple for individuals and employers to obtain the tests they need promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Chili, NM is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effortlessly. Ordering, undergoing testing, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring client details remain secure while providing a user-friendly experience throughout the entire process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Chili, NM feature affordable pricing and quick turnaround times. This cost-effective approach delivers excellent value for all business sizes, offering reassurance of competitive pricing combined with the swift delivery of results, ensuring client satisfaction at every level.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Chili, NM, are celebrated for their precision and speed. These tests provide fast and accurate results, offering a dependable method for detecting substance use over time. Their high level of accuracy makes them exceptionally efficient in yielding reliable outcomes during any testing procedure.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Chili, NM ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies. Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced safety, offering peace of mind in maintaining a secure working environment. This reliable testing approach supports a drug-free workplace effectively.

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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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