Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fierro, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for spotting drug and alcohol use. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by holding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to about a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and can be easily transported.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, the perfect sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a recommendation of 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial stage of processing a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes confirming the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other necessary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective strategy to eliminate drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be viable in court. Any samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require an additional confirmation.

If a specimen shows presumptive positive results in the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is used and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, making the results more reliable.
• Provides historical insight: It offers a usage pattern over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Fails to detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing shines over traditional urine tests, particularly in Fierro, NM. Benefits include superior accuracy and a longer detection window. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests offer a broader historical view, pivotal for employers enforcing strict policies. The reliability and extended window provide an insightful edge, ensuring a comprehensive assessment.

Extended Detection Window

The notable feature of hair follicle testing is its capacity to identify drug use over an extensive period of up to 90 days. This comprehensive coverage offers employers a detailed perspective on the individual's substance use history. In Fierro, NM, this extended detection window is crucial in evaluating both applicants and employees for a drug-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing holds a significant edge due to its tamper-resistant nature, making it the preferred choice in Fierro, NM. By substantially minimizing adulteration risks, these tests deliver indisputable results. Ensure that both employers and legal authorities can trust the integrity of their testing processes, maintaining unassailable truthfulness in outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing facilities, conveniently accessible in Fierro, NM, provide ease of access and hassle-free testing procedures. With locations spread across the country, you can readily attain the necessary services close to you. This network guarantees fast, convenient, and efficient testing processes, eradicating logistical challenges and saving valuable time.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Fierro, NM, is simple and confidential, addressing all potential privacy concerns. Ordering, administering, and receiving results are straightforward steps, ensuring ease of use while protecting confidentiality. Users can rest assured knowing their personal and testing information remains secure and private throughout the entire procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Fierro, NM, our hair follicle tests come with competitive pricing and swift results, offering great value for money. Whether your company is large or small, enjoy fast turnaround times without compromising on quality. This affordability alongside rapid processing times ensures organizations can secure reliable information efficiently and economically.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fierro, NM, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their quick and precise results, providing high accuracy levels in substance detection. Employers and individuals seeking fast results can rely on this method to ensure timely and conclusive outcomes. Whether for workplace compliance or personal screening, hair tests consistently deliver reliable data that meets necessary standards.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Fierro, NM, gain significant benefits from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This compliance fosters peace of mind, minimizes legal uncertainties, and bolsters workplace safety. Utilizing hair tests not only upholds strict drug policies but also enhances overall productivity and a secure working environment.

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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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