Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hillsboro, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When acquired near the scalp, hair can give a detection range of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, with a low possibility of tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This entails confirming the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While it's a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result during Screening must be verified for court admissibility. Presumptive positive samples from Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

In the event of a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from Screening is undertaken using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The whole laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection timeframe: Hair drug tests have the capability to discover drug use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter duration of urine tests.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests are notably hard to deceive, ensuring greater result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It provides a timeline of drug usage over an extensive period, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent consumption: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact the level of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hillsboro, NM, is home to superior hair follicle testing that outshines traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy, making it the preferred choice for substance screening. With its longer detection window, hair testing undeniably provides a reliable assessment of drug use.

Extended Detection Window

In Hillsboro, NM, hair follicle testing is celebrated for providing a substantial detection window, typically up to 90 days. This extended timeframe offers employers an in-depth understanding of a person's substance history. Hair tests allow for the assessment of long-term drug use, presenting a more comprehensive view.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hillsboro, NM, trusts hair follicle testing as a tamper-resistant method. The risk of sample adulteration is notably reduced, ensuring results are both reliable and uncontestable. Hair tests offer unparalleled security in drug testing, making them an essential tool for accurate screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Hillsboro, NM, benefits from convenient nationwide and local testing centers. Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access to testing services, making it seamless for individuals to complete their tests without hassle. Locations across the country offer quick and efficient testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Hillsboro, NM, the hair follicle testing process is simple and respects confidentiality. From ordering to sample taking and receiving results, the process is designed for privacy and user-friendliness. This straightforward approach ensures that privacy concerns are addressed effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and swift turnaround times characterize hair follicle testing in Hillsboro, NM. Competitive pricing structures and quick processing provide exceptional value, making hair testing accessible for companies of all sizes seeking efficient drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hillsboro, NM, hair follicle testing is recognized for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method of drug testing surpasses others by efficiently identifying substance use over an extended period. Hair follicle tests are favored for their precision, ensuring that test results are dependable and accurate.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hillsboro, NM, gain compliance and peace of mind through the use of hair follicle testing. This testing method bolsters adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks and fostering a safer work environment. Hair tests ensure stringent compliance and enhance overall workplace safety.

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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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