Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hatch, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means of detecting substance use. Hair maintains an extended record of alcohol and drug consumption through the capture of biomarkers within the hair's fibers. When hair is gathered near the scalp, it can show evidence of alcohol and drug use for as long as three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, fairly resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, or approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), near the scalp yields 100mg, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or when exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to obtain 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for measurement. If head hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. In this context, "head hair" means scalp hair exclusively, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory analysis of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample by the laboratory, ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data tasks not covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening refers to the immediate assessment for substances. While Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, positive screens require confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples that yield positive indicators in Screening must undergo secondary verification.

For samples marked presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is notably challenging.

Confirmation of all positive screening outcomes is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Before Confirmation, samples exhibiting presumptive positives are washed as necessary. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a briefer detection span.
• Cheating is difficult: Cheating a hair drug test proves notably challenging, thereby enhancing accuracy.
• Reveals usage history: It can illustrate a drug use timeline over several months, rather than just current use.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for detecting recent use: Drugs are noticeable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally costs more than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual growth rates can impact the concentration of drug residues in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," it is the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp, that gets analyzed.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hatch, NM

When it comes to identifying recent or historical drug use with precision, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine analysis. The hair test offers a longer detection span, ensuring better accuracy and less susceptibility to tampering. Employers and agencies favor this method for its stringent detection capabilities, thereby favoring reliability over older methods in Hatch, NM.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hatch, NM

One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its extended detection period, effectively spanning up to 90 days. This allows employers in Hatch, NM to gain a comprehensive insight into an individual's long-term drug use patterns, providing a diligent safeguard against recent and past substance abuse for making informed hiring or monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hatch, NM

Hair follicle tests are highly resistant to being tampered with, significantly reducing the chances of adulteration. This method ensures that the results provided are reliable and unquestionable. These tests present an almost foolproof way to assess an individual's drug use history, offering peace of mind to both employers and professionals concerned about authentic results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hatch, NM

Our expansive network of nationwide testing centers provides unmatched convenience. With easy access to facilities, individuals in Hatch, NM can quickly undertake necessary drug tests without hassle, ensuring efficient and straightforward service accessibility. Our local branches offer seamless service delivery, ensuring community needs are met promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hatch, NM

The process for scheduling, performing, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is designed to be as simple and private as possible. Individuals in Hatch, NM can rest assured knowing that their privacy is a top priority, ensuring ease of use and trust in managing sensitive information efficiently. Our services provide a discreet approach to necessary testing procedures.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hatch, NM

We offer competitive pricing structures, ensuring value without compromising on the speed and accuracy of results. Businesses of all sizes in Hatch, NM can benefit from our fast turnaround times, receiving critical drug screening results promptly. Our pricing ensures excellent value, making high-standard testing accessible to any budget while maintaining peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hatch, NM

Hair follicle drug testing provides swift and precise results, setting a high standard in detecting substance use. Known for its accuracy, this testing method capable of revealing drug intake ensures reliable outcomes for those requiring definitive substance verification. With quick processing, individuals and organizations can rely on its efficiency and dependability in Hatch, NM.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hatch, NM

Using hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies across Hatch, NM. Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced safety when adopting this credible evaluation system. Such a robust testing method ensures a drug-free environment, promoting peace of mind and fostering a secure, productive workplace culture.

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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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