Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Datil, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become an effective instrument in detecting drug and alcohol use. The fibers in a growing hair catch biomarkers, providing an extended history of alcohol and drugs. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can detect alcohol and drugs for nearly 3 months. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to ship.

A sample of 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil thickness) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, it’s advisable to obtain 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equal amount of body hair may suffice. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four pivotal steps in the lab processing of drug tests are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the primary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This entails checking if the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data not entered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary quick check for abusive drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to stand in court. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, extra hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at concentrations lower than those in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), asserting hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The whole laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely hard, leading to more accurate results.
• Illustrates historical data: It displays a drug usage pattern over a time period, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "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 Datil, NM, hair follicle testing steps ahead of traditional urine tests. Hair testing has a superior detection accuracy, offering reliability that cannot be matched by urine tests. The detection window for hair testing captures drug use for nearly 90 days, offering comprehensive insights into substance history. Compared to urine tests, hair tests reduce the chance of errors or missed drug use instances, reinforcing their dependability.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Datil, NM greatly benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle tests. These tests can unveil drug use spanning up to 90 days, unlike other methods. This extensive period allows for a thorough overview of an applicant or employee’s drug history, presenting a more detailed account of substance use over time. Such insights are invaluable for informed decision making in the workplace.
With a longer detection period, hair testing provides a detailed picture.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Datil, NM recognizes the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing as indispensable. This testing method drastically reduces potential for sample tampering, ensuring outcomes remain reliable and unquestionable. Hair specimens, unlike urine samples, are hard to manipulate, thus maintaining integrity and trust in the testing process. This inflexibility to adulteration is key for organizations looking to maintain strict drug-free environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Datil, NM residents find convenience in our nationwide testing centers. Our locations are strategically placed to guarantee quick and easy access, minimizing hassles associated with the testing process. Whether from coasts to city centers, accessing a reliable testing center is straightforward, ensuring seamless experiences across the board.
With accessible locations everywhere, testing is never far away.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Datil, NM, the process of hair follicle testing is both simple and confidential. Ordering tests, taking samples, and receiving results is streamlined to ensure ease. Privacy is respected at every step, addressing concerns individuals might have. The efficiency and consideration for discretion highlight the integrity of the testing process, ensuring it remains user-friendly and respectful.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For residents and companies in Datil, NM, our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times reinforce that hair follicle testing is a viable option. Not only is it cost-effective, but the rapid results provide substantial value. Businesses of all scales can take advantage of this efficiency without compromising on quality or accuracy, keeping operations smooth and informed under favorable pricing conditions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them a top choice in Datil, NM. These tests provide extremely accurate results, identifying substance use efficiently. This high degree of accuracy ensures that test outcomes are reliable, granting peace of mind to employers and individuals alike. The fast turnaround time further adds to the value, delivering results promptly.
Speed and accuracy go hand in hand with hair testing, making it a preferred option.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Datil, NM, hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind. Leveraging hair tests ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, significantly mitigating legal risks and bolstering workplace safety. This method not only guarantees compliance but also helps cultivate a work environment free from substance-related disruptions, promoting a safe and productive workforce.

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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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