Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hondo, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair, offering an extensive record of substance use. When obtained near the scalp, hair can present nearly a 3-month timeframe for detecting substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the ideal quantity for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG assessments, additions, and/or more comprehensive tests over 10 panels, a sample quantity of 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a corresponding quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary four phases in laboratory drug test result processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the initial entry of a sample into the laboratory’s system, confirming the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid review for substance abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-effective method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally binding. Samples showing presumptive positivity during Screening necessitate confirmation.

Upon presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other procedures (such as urine or oral fluid), showcasing hair drug screening’s complexity.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods conduct Confirmation of any positive screening outcome. Before confirmation, all samples showing presumptive positivity are cleansed as needed. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments identify drug usage up to 90 days, whereas urine assessments have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to subvert: Manipulating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals drug use trends over a duration, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: Drugs generally become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair assessments typically incur greater costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair pigmentation and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: These assessments, commonly termed "hair follicle tests", actually evaluate the hair strand rather than the subscalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hondo, NM, hair follicle testing is a superior option to traditional urine tests due to its enhanced detection accuracy and consistent results. The hair test's ability to identify drug usage over a longer period makes it a more comprehensive choice. Its reliability in results distinguishes it from urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

In Hondo, NM, hair follicle testing is valued for its ability to detect drug usage over an extended period of up to 90 days. This feature gives employers a complete view of substance use history, ensuring they can make informed decisions regarding hiring or monitoring employees. Its extensive detection window is unmatched.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Hondo, NM, the hair follicle testing method is designed to minimize the risk of sample tampering, thus offering trustworthy and unquestionable findings. Hair testing's resilience against adulteration ensures that the results are both reliable and foolproof, standing up to scrutiny and providing peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers nationwide, including locations in Hondo, NM, accessing hair follicle testing services is swift and straightforward. This widespread availability ensures that individuals and businesses can easily find a nearby center, making the testing process hassle-free and efficient for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Hondo, NM, is straightforward and confidential, focusing on ease and privacy. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to be simple, ensuring that users' privacy concerns are addressed and the procedure remains unobtrusive yet highly effective.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Hondo, NM, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced with quick turnaround times, delivering substantial value. Companies of all sizes benefit from our affordable pricing structures, ensuring they get the best service at a cost-effective price, along with fast and reliable results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Hondo, NM, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its fast, accurate, and reliable results. This testing method offers a remarkably high level of precision compared to other options, ensuring dependable detection of substance use. Clients trust hair testing for its swift turnaround time and the assurance of clear outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Hondo, NM, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. Utilizing this method reduces legal risks and enhances overall safety. Employers gain peace of mind from knowing their testing practices comply with regulations and support a safe, drug-free 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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