Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cotton City, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term history of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the developing strands. When collected close to the scalp, hair can offer around a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and various drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of approximately 200 hairs (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg, which is optimal for screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional testing, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair pertain strictly to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. This economical approach helps eliminate drug presence in most samples; however, to be court-admissible, a positive screen necessitates confirmation. Samples returning presumptively positive results during Screening require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations far lower than those seen in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests detect drug use over a span of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter window.
• Low susceptibility to tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Historical usage pattern: It reveals a timeline of drug consumption, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests," the examination focuses on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests in Cotton City, NM, offer distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. They provide superior detection accuracy, pinpointing drug use with high reliability. While urine tests capture recent usage within days, hair tests cover usage over longer periods, up to 90 days, delivering a more comprehensive picture, which makes these tests ideal for tailored substance tracking and critical decision-making.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Cotton City, NM, can uncover drug traces up to 90 days after use. This lengthy timeframe offers employers a more thorough understanding of an individual’s history with substances. Such testing is invaluable for assessing long-term sobriety or identifying chronic patterns of substance use, offering a valuable perspective for both pre-employment and ongoing evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Cotton City, NM, benefits from the tamper-resistant qualities of hair follicle tests. These tests significantly deter sample adulteration, providing results that are both trustworthy and undeniable. Unlike urine tests, hair tests require a straightforward collection process that reduces the likelihood of deception, ensuring that the information provided is authentic and relevant for legal, employment, or personal needs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a vast network of testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenience in Cotton City, NM. Our widespread presence nationwide means quick, hassle-free access to testing services. Clients benefit from ease of access, ensuring that whether local or traveling, testing is readily available, promoting accessibility and efficiency in meeting drug testing requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cotton City, NM, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Ordering, collecting, and receiving results is streamlined to protect privacy. This approach reassures users with a discreet and straightforward experience, alleviating concerns about confidentiality and elevating comfort levels in proceeding with necessary drug testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing provides excellent value in Cotton City, NM. Our affordable pricing structure paired with rapid result delivery ensures businesses of all sizes receive the best return on their investment, enhancing peace of mind and supporting a drug-free workplace efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cotton City, NM, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for delivering quick and accurate results. The enhanced precision ensures the detection of substance use with remarkable accuracy. Speed and precision are the hallmark of hair testing, offering a reliable assessment for a wide spectrum of substances, making them highly effective for both employers and individuals seeking dependable drug screening solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cotton City, NM, find compliance with workplace drug-free policies smoother due to hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety by ensuring policy adherence. Regular testing fosters a drug-free environment, instilling confidence among employers and employees alike while safeguarding business interests and maintaining a secure work atmosphere.

Drug Testing Near Cotton City, NM

Gage, NM

Cloverdale, NM

White Signal, NM

Redrock, NM

Virden, NM

Wilna, NM

Hachita, NM

Separ, NM

Lisbon, NM

Lordsburg, NM

Rodeo, NM

Playas, NM

Windmill, NM

Animas, NM

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews