Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cruzville, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encases biomarkers throughout its fibers, providing a protracted record of substance use. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional components, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. Our reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test result in a lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step, incorporating a sample into a lab’s system. This step confirms that the sample was securely sealed and delivered, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entries not fulfilled by an electronic custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening provides a cost-effective means to dismiss drug consumption for most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally valid. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample appears positive in the Screening step, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a much lower concentration than methods like urine or oral fluid, explaining why hair screening is particularly intricate.

Verification of any positive screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive undergo pre-confirmation washing as needed. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair test is extremely hard, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Tracks historical use: It can depict a trend of drug use over time, rather than just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot spot recent usage: Drugs become evident in hair around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair tests typically incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations in hair can be influenced by factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cruzville, NM

Hair testing stands out for its unrivaled detection period, capable of identifying drug usage up to 90 days prior, compared to urine tests that provide a shorter detection span. This extended window allows for a thorough evaluation of an individual's substance use history, making it the superior choice.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Cruzville, NM is a primary advantage, offering a significant look-back period up to 90 days. This wide detection range ensures employers gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug use history, aiding their decision-making process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Cruzville, NM offers a tamper-resistant method of drug testing. The nature of hair samples makes it extremely difficult to adulterate or manipulate results, thus guaranteeing the reliability and integrity of the testing process for both employers and individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers easily accessible testing facilities nationwide, including local centers in Cruzville, NM. This extensive network ensures a seamless and hassle-free experience, catering to various testing needs quickly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process with Accredited Drug Testing in Cruzville, NM is simple and confidential. From arranging the test to receiving the results, we prioritize privacy and ease of use, ensuring the participant’s personal information remains protected throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cruzville, NM

Our competitive pricing and swift processing times provide excellent value for businesses. Whether large or small, companies benefit from cost-effective testing solutions that don’t compromise speed or reliability, ensuring peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Cruzville, NM are fast, providing quick yet reliable results. Their notable advantage is their high accuracy in detecting substance use, offering detailed insights into an individual's drug history. The precision and speed of hair tests make them a preferred choice for employers seeking efficient drug screening solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Cruzville, NM, compliance and peace of mind are enhanced with hair follicle testing. By aligning with drug-free workplace policies, it reduces legal exposures and promotes a safer, more productive working environment, reinforcing trust in the hiring process.

Drug Testing Near Cruzville, NM

Pie Town, NM

Pleasanton, NM

Quemado, NM

Glenwood, NM

Reserve, NM

Apache Creek, 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