Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Galisteo, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a formidable technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures an extended history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. A sample taken close to the scalp can provide an approximate three-month detection window for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to adulteration, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch section made up of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is perfect for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is preferred. The specimen should be weighed on a jeweler’s scale. If missing scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing for a drug test result generally encompasses four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step of incorporating a sample into a lab’s workflow. It includes verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any additional required data not recorded by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial, efficient evaluation for drugs. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive finding must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Positive results from screening are confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumptive positive sample is washed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and certified by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can detect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• High resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage pattern: It offers a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: There is a 5-7 day period before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Galisteo, NM, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing thanks to its enhanced detection abilities and consistent reliability. The benefits of hair tests include a longer detection window and reduced sample tampering risks, making them superior for those enforcing strict drug-free policies. With hair testing, detection is often more comprehensive.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Galisteo, NM offers an extended detection period for drug use, up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a broad understanding of an individual's substance use history. Such a prolonged detection window is invaluable for companies seeking diligent background checks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Galisteo, NM, hair follicle testing stands out for its resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, hair testing significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, delivering trustworthy and unequivocal results. This reliability is crucial for maintaining the integrity of testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Conveniently located testing centers nationwide make hair follicle testing in Galisteo, NM straightforward. Our network ensures that accessing testing services is quick, easy, and hassle-free, catering to both local needs and nationwide requirements efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Galisteo, NM is simple and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, everything is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. This straightforward process alleviates any concerns about confidentiality and ensures user-friendly experiences.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Galisteo, NM are competitively priced with fast turnaround times, offering exceptional value for money. Affordable pricing combined with quick results provides peace of mind, benefiting businesses both large and small with great cost efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Galisteo, NM are renowned for their rapid, accurate, and trustworthy results. With state-of-the-art processing, these tests ensure speedy detection of substance use. Known for their precision, they deliver highly accurate findings that employers and institutions rely on, ensuring confidence in results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Galisteo, NM can find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal liabilities and bolsters workplace safety, serving as a foundation for maintaining a secure and productive 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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