Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cordova, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. Gathering hair near the scalp can reveal alcohol and drug use for up to a roughly 3-month period. The collection process is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch length of about 200 hair strands (approximately pencil thickness) from the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred sample size for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. Note that scalp hair specifically refers to hair on the head only, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for drug test result processing encompasses four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample into the lab's database, which includes checking that the sample is properly sealed and delivered, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although it provides a cost-efficient means to dismiss drug use for most samples, a screen that returns positive must be confirmed to be valid in legal settings. Samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening need an additional confirmation step.

For any presumptive positives in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lesser concentration compared to other methods like urine or saliva, making hair testing particularly challenging to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening results is achieved through techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessarily, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation. The full laboratory protocol, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, is conducted according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair tests can uncover drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with a limited detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to circumvent, ensuring higher result accuracy.
• Tracks past use: They illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just current use.

Limitations:

• Ineffective for recent usage: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become apparent in hair.
• Price: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: The test commonly known as a "hair follicle test" actually examines the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cordova, NM, the benefits of hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing are considerable. Hair tests are known for their superior detection capabilities, offering a 90-day detection window which urine tests cannot match. This makes them more reliable for long-term substance use history.

Furthermore, hair testing offers enhanced accuracy as it removes the possibility of tampering, a common issue with urine testing, providing employers with trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Cordova, NM, boasts an extended detection window, effectively revealing drug use patterns over the course of up to 90 days. This comprehensive overview is invaluable for employers needing detailed substance use histories.

Employers benefit from this lengthy detection period as it empowers them to evaluate potential hires or current employees with a broad and informative scope.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is a tamper-resistant method, significantly diminishing risks of sample adulteration, making it a trusted choice in Cordova, NM. Its inherent resistance to tampering ensures that the results remain indisputable.

This testing method provides reliable results due to its stringent collection process, safeguarding against the manipulation that is common in other testing methods like urine tests.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide convenience is a significant advantage of our testing services, including locations in Cordova, NM. With centers across the country, accessing drug testing services is straightforward and stress-free.

Enjoy local convenience with our Cordova-based testing locations, ensuring that the need for drug screening doesn't disrupt your daily routine.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Cordova, NM, for hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential, easing any concerns about privacy. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step prioritizes client confidentiality and convenience.

Employers appreciate the ease of use inherent in our testing process, making it a seamless experience from start to finish, assuring privacy throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Cordova, NM, our hair follicle testing promises affordable pricing structures tailored for all company sizes. Not only is it economical, but this testing also offers a fast turnaround, ensuring quick results without compromising quality.

Our blend of competitive pricing and efficiency provides exceptional value, making it accessible for businesses seeking reliable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Efficient Results are a hallmark of hair follicle drug testing in Cordova, NM, as they provide rapid and accurate detection of substances. This testing method is meticulously designed to ensure precision, enabling employers to make informed decisions with confidence.

Not only does hair follicle testing assure high accuracy, but it also offers fast turnaround times, making it a preferable choice for those who prioritize promptness in drug screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cordova, NM, gain peace of mind using hair follicle testing, as it ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and strengthens workplace safety measures.

By opting for hair testing, employers can be reassured that their compliance requirements are met effectively, promoting a safe and drug-free work 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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