Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Engle, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluation is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for identifying substance and alcohol use. Hair captures a historical record of intoxicants by embedding indicators within its evolving structure. When obtained near the head's surface, hair can offer insight into substance and alcohol exposure over a span of nearly three months. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A segment of hair measuring 1.5 inches, roughly 200 individual hairs (similar to a #2 pencil in diameter) near the head, yields 100mg—ideal for preliminary and confirmatory examinations. For EtG and/or evaluations exceeding 10 categories, 150mg is preferable. We suggest assessing the quantity using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair is not accessible, a comparable volume of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" refers exclusively to hair on the scalp. "Body hair" encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Processing Workflow

The lab process for analyzing a drug sample encompasses four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning integrates a specimen into the lab's system. This step checks whether the specimen was appropriately sealed and conveyed, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes other incoming data requisites potentially lacking from an automated chain of custody process.

Screening is a preliminary examination to detect drug presence. Although Screening serves as a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use suspicion in most samples, a conclusive result is needed for legal admissibility. Specimens suggesting the presence of substances during Screening demand further verification.

Should a sample test positively during the Screening phase, more hair is retrieved for the Extraction process. This involves drug retrieval from hair at a reduced concentration compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), rendering hair drug assessments the most complex to execute.

Verification of a positive screening outcome happens through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing positive in the preliminary check are cleansed before final analysis, as necessary. The entire evaluation cycle from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and upholds ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Pros of hair drug examinations:

• Extended detection period: Hair assessments can trace drug activity up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with briefer detection ranges.
• Resistance to deception: Hair tests are challenging to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Retrospective insight: Offers an overview of drug habits over an interval, beyond just recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to ascertain recent activity: Drugs take about 5-7 days to appear in hair analysis.
• Expense: Hair examinations are typically costlier than alternative testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and growth rate differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Engle, NM provides notable advantages. The superior detection accuracy of hair tests makes them more reliable for identifying recent and past substance use. This advantage aids employers and legal professionals in maintaining a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle test offers an expansive detection window, making it invaluable for employment screening in Engle, NM. Up to 90 days of drug use history can be uncovered, giving employers a detailed insight into a candidate's or employee's past substance use. This extended visibility is crucial for maintaining workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests vastly minimize the potential for sample tampering in Engle, NM. The method’s robust nature ensures that results are both reliable and resistant to adulteration, providing confidence in the authenticity of the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of comprehensive testing services across Engle, NM and nationwide. Our network of testing centers makes the process quick, simple, and straightforward, eliminating typical hurdles associated with drug testing logistics.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ease of use and confidentiality are at the forefront of our hair follicle testing services in Engle, NM. The process of ordering, collecting, and receiving results assures privacy while being hassle-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Engle, NM, our hair follicle testing solutions are both cost-effective and timely. Competitive pricing and quick turnaround times make our services a valuable asset to businesses of any size, ensuring that substance checks are efficient and budget-friendly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Engle, NM, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and rapid results in detecting substance use. Speed and accuracy define this testing method, offering reliable readings that traditional methods might not match. The hair test identifies a broader spectrum of substances with superior accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

• Employers in Engle, NM experience peace of mind with hair follicle tests due to ensured compliance with drug-free policies.
• This method supports legal obligations and employee safety, significantly reducing workplace risks associated with substance abuse.

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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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