Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eagle Nest, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When acquired near the scalp, hair can reveal drug or alcohol use extending back up to around three months. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately challenging to alter, and simple to transport.

An ideal specimen for analyses, a 1.5-inch segment comprised of approximately 200 hairs (roughly a #2 pencil's diameter) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair. For advanced tests like EtG or panels exceeding 10, 150mg is preferred. We advise weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The four primary steps in lab processing of drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial inclusion of a sample into the lab’s workflow. This stage encompasses confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data documentation not covered by electronic chain of custody systems.

Screening involves an initial rapid evaluation for substance abuse. It offers an economical means to exclude drug use in most cases. Nonetheless, a positive Screen needs corroboration to be viable in legal contexts, necessitating further verification for samples testing positive during Screening.

For a presumptive positive outcome in Screening, more hair from the initial sample is retrieved and readied for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluids), thus making hair drug testing the most challenging to conduct.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are utilized for the Verification of a positive screening result. All initially positive samples undergo washing before Verification as required. From Accessioning to Verification, the entire procedure is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, aligning with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use over a 90-day timeframe, as opposed to urine tests with a shorter detection scope.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably hard, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Enables historical insight: It documents a drug usage pattern across a timeline, rather than recent usage only.

Limitations:

• Inability to reveal recent usage: Drugs require nearly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Cost considerations: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result variations: Factors including hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eagle Nest, NM

Hair follicle testing stands out as a superior method compared to traditional urine tests. The benefits include enhanced detection accuracy and greater reliability. Employers find this method valuable due to its extensive detection period and consistency in providing conclusive results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eagle Nest, NM

Employers benefit significantly from the extensive detection window of up to 90 days provided by hair follicle testing. This method offers a comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance history, aiding in making informed decisions regarding potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eagle Nest, NM

The integrity of hair follicle tests is unmatched as they significantly minimize the possibility of sample tampering. This ensures results are both reliable and indisputable, providing peace of mind to employers and legal authorities.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eagle Nest, NM

With a network of testing centers nationwide, and in Eagle Nest, NM, accessing fast and hassle-free testing services is convenient. This extensive reach ensures everyone can benefit from timely and accessible drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eagle Nest, NM

The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results from hair follicle tests is simple and confidential. This respect for privacy fosters trust among individuals and organizations seeking a straightforward testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eagle Nest, NM

Competitive pricing combined with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing an attractive option for businesses. This service provides excellent value, assuring companies of all sizes gain timely and affordable testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eagle Nest, NM

Hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision and speed in results. Known for its high accuracy, this testing method not only enhances detection of substance use but also ensures reliability, making it ideal for those seeking swift and dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eagle Nest, NM

Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and bolstering workplace safety. This method provides employers with reassurance and compliance with safety regulations.

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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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