Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Crownpoint, NM

What it is, How it works

Testing hair is increasingly viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers as they grow, offering a long-term history of alcohol and drug use. Hair samples taken near the scalp can provide approximately a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Furthermore, collecting hair is straightforward, it is quite challenging to tamper with, and it is easily shipped.

A 1.5-inch hair specimen of roughly 200 strands (approximating the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for initial screenings and subsequent confirmations. For EtG screenings, extended panels, or tests involving more than 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be necessary and unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair is suitable. When we refer to head hair, it specifically indicates scalp hair. Body hair, on the other hand, encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The procedure to process a drug test laboratory result involves four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning phase entails the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system, including verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any extra data absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

During the Screening process, there is an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage among most samples; however, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to ensure admissibility in legal contexts. Samples that appear positive in the preliminary Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

Should a Screening stage indicate a possible positive, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are removed from the hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing methods.

To affirm any positive findings during screening, confirmation is performed using either GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with potential positives are cleaned before confirmation as required. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accreditation in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests are capable of revealing drug usage for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests only cover a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: It's exceptionally tough to deceive a hair drug test, which enhances accuracy.
• Gives usage history: It outlines drug usage patterns spanning a timeframe, and not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify immediate use: Drugs typically become noticeable in hair around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Crownpoint, NM, hair follicle testing stands as a superior method compared to traditional urine tests. The accuracy in detection and reliability of results showcase its advantages for drug screening processes.

Urine tests fall short in comparison to hair follicle tests, which provide better accuracy and detection reliability. This makes hair testing the preferred choice in Crownpoint for ensuring drug-free environments.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Crownpoint, NM provides an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This gives employers a comprehensive perspective on substance histories.

The capacity to detect drug use over an extended period allows hair tests to offer insights that urine tests cannot, making it a preferred choice for comprehensive evaluations in Crownpoint.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Crownpoint, NM, hair follicle tests substantially reduce the risk of sample tampering. Their robust nature ensures that results remain accurate and trustworthy.

This testing method protects against adulteration, offering results that are not just reliable but also indisputable, assuring organizations of their validity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is at the forefront with our extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including local facilities in Crownpoint, NM, ensuring no hassle in accessing vital testing services.

Quick and easy access to our tests is guaranteed, whether in Crownpoint or elsewhere, thanks to our widespread presence and efficient services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing procedure in Crownpoint, NM is both simple and confidential, addressing any privacy concerns with ease and transparency.

With our straightforward process, from ordering to results reception, individuals can be assured of a smooth, private experience, maintaining confidentiality throughout in Crownpoint.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Crownpoint, NM offers hair follicle testing with competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times, delivering exceptional value for businesses.

Our efficient services aim to provide both affordability and speed, ensuring that organizations receive timely results without compromising on cost-effectiveness in Crownpoint.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test in Crownpoint, NM offers remarkable accuracy and speed, ensuring reliable detection of substance use. Its precision in capturing a wide range of substances makes it an invaluable tool for comprehensive screening.

Fast and accurate, hair tests in Crownpoint deliver results that employers trust. The advanced technology used ensures that substances are effectively detected, offering peace of mind to organizations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Crownpoint employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free policies, enhancing workplace safety while minimizing legal concerns.

Using hair tests not only boosts compliance with safety regulations but also reassures employers of maintaining a secure work environment, providing 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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