Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Garfield, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the growing strands. When gathered near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for testing and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is an option. "Head hair" strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the preliminary phase of incorporating a sample into a lab's system. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any missing data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial, swift evaluation for substances of abuse. While it serves as a cost-effective means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to hold up in legal settings. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In cases where Screening indicates a presumptive positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. Here, substances are isolated from the hair at much lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation requirements.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for as far back as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: The accuracy of hair drug tests is ensured by the difficulty in altering the results.
• Provides longitudinal data: Offers a timeline of drug use over an extended period, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to track recent consumption: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the method examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Garfield, NM, hair follicle testing clearly outshines traditional urine testing. Its longer detection span and higher reliability present a compelling advantage.

Employers value the heightened accuracy of hair tests, minimizing false positives and negatives. Its superior performance in identifying drug use history makes it an invaluable tool for thorough screening.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Garfield, NM, offers an extended window for drug detection that exposes up to 90 days of substance use history, giving employers/access to comprehensive insights.

This expanded timeframe in hair testing allows better tracking of an applicant or employee’s past drug habits, proving crucial for making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Garfield, NM benefits greatly from hair follicle tests because they drastically lessen the possibility of tampering or adulteration.

Hair tests are a credible method of drug testing, delivering results that are not easily manipulated or faked. This ensures highly dependable outcomes, especially vital for important decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Garfield, NM, the ease of accessing widespread testing centers, including local locations, facilitates quick and stress-free testing services for citizens.

Our national network of testing facilities guarantees that no matter where you are, reliable drug testing services are readily accessible, enhancing overall convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Undergoing hair follicle testing in Garfield, NM, involves an uncomplicated, confidential process, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

From ordering to testing, and receiving results, every step ensures customer privacy, making it a straightforward and anxiety-free experience for all individuals involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing structures combined with expedient turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Garfield, NM, a cost-effective solution for businesses.

Providing quick results without compromising quality offers tremendous value, catering to the needs of companies regardless of their size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and rapid outcomes of hair follicle drug testing in Garfield, NM, significantly enhance its reliability. Known for instantly delivering high-accuracy in identifying substance use, it positions hair tests as a top choice.

Compared to traditional tests, the speed with which hair tests yield reliable results is unmatched. This efficiency not only satisfies in terms of quick verification but also ensures credibility in detecting substance histories.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Garfield, NM find confidence in hair follicle testing, meeting and enhancing compliance with drug-free work policies effortlessly.

Using hair tests reduces legal liabilities while bolstering workplace safety and ensuring peace of mind, knowing that the workforce remains substance-free.

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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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