Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Escondida, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the hair fibers as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for a period of up to 3 months. The collection process for hair is straightforward, making it challenging to tamper with, and it is also simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (or about the size of a #2 pencil), taken closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen size of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample into a lab's system. This step includes verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be admissible in court. Any samples that test presumptive positive during Screening need a secondary confirmation.

In instances where a sample tests presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to evade: It is very difficult to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual variations in growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Escondida, NM, hair follicle testing proves superior to urine testing. Its heightened detection accuracy and reliability make it a preferred choice. Unlike urine tests, which only spot recent usage, hair tests offer a broader window, revealing a comprehensive record of substance use.

The reliability of hair testing ensures minimal risk of false readings. Compared to urine tests, hair analysis maintains consistent accuracy, providing peace of mind for entities relying on it for drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window, hair follicle testing stands out in Escondida, NM. Capable of identifying drug use over 90 days, it provides employers an extensive perspective on an individual's substance history.

Employers in Escondida gain a strategic advantage through hair testing. The method's long detection period allows a broader assessment of an applicant's or employee's past substance habits, supporting informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Escondida, NM's hair follicle testing reduces the risk of sample tampering significantly. Its highly secure method ensures that results remain reliable and beyond reproach.

The robust nature of hair testing offers dependable results. In Escondida, the process is virtually tamper-proof, delivering trust in the accuracy of substance use assessments, free from manipulation risks seen in other testing forms.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing is available in Escondida, NM through our widespread testing centers. Our network ensures straightforward and efficient access to testing services nationwide, making the process hassle-free for all.

With local centers in Escondida, gaining access to quick and easy testing services is seamless. Our national presence ensures you receive prompt, convenient care without issues.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Escondida, NM, our hair follicle testing process remains simple and confidential. Easy to order, take, and receive, the service respects privacy while offering straightforward use.

Address your testing needs with ease and confidentiality in Escondida. Our seamless process respects personal privacy, ensuring you get needed insights without complications.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Escondida, NM businesses find value in our competitively priced hair testing. Our affordable options and quick turnaround times offer high value, catering to companies of all sizes seeking efficient drug testing solutions.

With pricing that aligns with budget considerations, Escondida's hair testing competes on cost without sacrificing speed or accuracy. Enjoy peace of mind knowing prompt, reliable results support your company needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

For swift and precise results in Escondida, NM, hair follicle drug tests excel in speed and reliability. They effectively pinpoint substance usage with remarkable accuracy, ensuring dependable outcomes every time.

Escondida benefits from fast hair testing thanks to cutting-edge analysis that simplifies detection. This process offers impressive precision and rapid results, setting a benchmark in substance detection accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Escondida, NM achieve compliance and comfort through hair follicle testing. It ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal challenges and promoting safety.

By adopting hair follicle testing, Escondida workplaces fortify their commitment to safety and policy adherence. It reduces risk, offering assurance in upholding drug-free environments across various industries.

Drug Testing Near Escondida, NM

Veguita, NM

San Marcial, NM

Sabinal, NM

Abeytas, NM

Bernardo, NM

Carthage, NM

Contreras, NM

Magdalena, NM

La Joya, NM

San Acacia, NM

Alamillo, NM

Luis Lopez, NM

Polvadera, NM

Socorro, NM

Lemitar, 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