Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gamerco, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair examination has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds an extended timeline of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair strand fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers roughly a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advisable to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial intake of a sample into a lab's system. This step involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary swift assessment for substances of abuse, which is a cost-efficient approach to eliminate drug use in the vast majority of samples. Notably, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples with presumptive positive results during Screening necessitate secondary verification.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations significantly lower than those in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screening finding is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are thoroughly washed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests that have a briefer detection timeframe.
• Cheating is challenging: Compromising a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, thus enhancing accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a profile of drug usage over time, rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drug presence in hair is typically detectable after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on analyzing the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing reveals unmatched detection and reliability. In Gamerco, NM, hair testing presents a superior choice with better detection of substance use across extended timelines. Its reliability surpasses that of urine testing due to its less susceptibility to manipulation and broader window of detection, ensuring a clearer picture of substance use patterns.

Extended Detection Window

One significant benefit is its Extended Detection Window in Gamerco, NM. Hair follicle testing allows for up to 90 days of drug use history, providing a thorough analysis of an individual’s substance use. This prolonged period offers employers greater insight into an employee's or applicant's behavioral trends, assisting in making informed hiring or disciplinary decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests are a Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Gamerco, NM. This approach significantly reduces the risks of sample tampering, ensuring confidence in the results derived. The intricacies of the method make it an excellent choice for maintaining the credibility of the screening process, providing results that stakeholders can trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations include several local centers in Gamerco, NM. With an extensive network, getting tested becomes a hassle-free task. This extensive reach assures easy access to testing services, offering customers flexibility and convenience without the challenge of extensive travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process is Simple, Confidential in Gamerco, NM. From ordering a test to receiving results, we guarantee privacy and ease. The streamlined procedures maintain confidentiality, addressing user's concerns and making the journey straightforward, nurturing trust and satisfaction among clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With our focus on Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Gamerco, NM, businesses receive exceptional value. Our competitive rates coupled with rapid result processing offer unmatched value for entities of all sizes. This combination ensures peace of mind, empowering firms with quick, accurate information without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Delivering Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results is paramount in Gamerco, NM. Hair follicle testing offers sharp precision and swiftness, pinpointing substance use with elevated accuracy. This method accelerates the process, allowing quicker decisions while maintaining the integrity of results. Clients can trust the robust analytical capabilities to deliver dependable findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers seek Compliance and Peace of Mind using hair follicle testing in Gamerco, NM. This method affirms adherence to drug-free workplace policies and mitigates legal hazards, boosting workplace safety. Harshness in substance use control verifies policy compliance, instilling confidence in management teams and regulatory bodies.

Drug Testing Near Gamerco, NM

Manuelito, NM

Tse Bonito, NM

Nakaibito, NM

Brimhall Nizhoni, NM

Red Rock, NM

Fort Wingate, NM

Wingate, NM

Church Rock, NM

Twin Lakes, NM

Rehoboth, NM

Mentmore, NM

Rock Springs, NM

Yah-ta-hey, NM

Allison, NM

Gallup, 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