Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kenna, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Offering a prolonged history of substance intake, hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of its developing strands. Collected near the scalp, it presents nearly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, with limited possibilities for tampering, and it is easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to a #2 pencil’s diameter) near the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By "head hair," we mean scalp hair alone. "Body hair" pertains to other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning covers the sample's initial system integration within a lab. This phase involves ensuring the sample's sealed and correctly shipped, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finalizing any missing data entry outside an electronic custody chain system.

Screening offers a swift evaluation for potential drug presence. While cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation for legal validity. Presumptive positive samples during Screening demand further confirmation.

A potentially positive specimen in the Screening requires extending the sample for further Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at lower concentrations than some other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging to execute.

Positive screening outcomes undergo Confirmation utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspect positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect for a shorter duration.
• Minimal cheating risk: Cheating on a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Supplies historical insights: It reflects a timeline of drug consumption, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become traceable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other testing technologies.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and personal growth rates can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often mislabeled as "hair follicle tests," this test actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Kenna, NM, outshines urine tests for several reasons. Its superior detection accuracy and reliability make it a preferred option.

Benefits include a longer detection period and a more reliable indication of substance use, providing a clearer overview than urine analysis.

Extended Detection Window

With hair follicle testing in Kenna, NM, employers benefit from an extended detection window—up to 90 days.

This comprehensive detection period provides a more thorough view of an individual's substance history, assisting in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Kenna, NM, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method, reducing risks of sample adulteration.

Its reliability ensures that results remain unquestionable and integral to informed workplace decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our convenient nationwide testing centers and local locations in Kenna, NM, ensure quick access to services.

Testing is hassle-free and can be done promptly, demonstrating our commitment to accessibility and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Kenna, NM, is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy during ordering, testing, and result reception.

This ease of use appeals to both individuals and businesses, lowering concerns about privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround in Kenna, NM, offer excellent value for all company sizes.

Employers receive cost-effective solutions and peace of mind through our efficient services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Kenna, NM, guarantees fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method is superior in detecting substance use, ensuring precision in results.

Utilizing advanced techniques, this form of testing delivers highly accurate results quickly, outperforming traditional testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Kenna, NM, gain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies.

This method reduces legal risks, enhances safety, and meets industry standards effectively.

Drug Testing Near Kenna, NM

Melrose, NM

Krider, NM

Causey, NM

Acme, NM

Portales, NM

Crossroads, NM

Caprock, NM

Floyd, NM

Milnesand, NM

Dora, NM

Pep, NM

Delphos, NM

Elkins, NM

Boaz, NM

Elida, 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