Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Huerta, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by integrating biomarkers into the strands of the hair as it grows. When collected from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to approximately 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is effortless to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample size for both initial screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to use 150mg of the sample. It is best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, the same quantity of body hair can be utilized. When referring to head hair, we mean specifically scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary processes involved in lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample in a lab's system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any required data input not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary, swift assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening serves as a cost-efficient means to negate drug usage in most samples, any positive findings need verification for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

For samples that are presumptively positive at the Screening stage, further hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation in the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at much smaller concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to perform.

Confirmation for any positive screening results is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The entire lab processing from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated following the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are hard to tamper with, resulting in more precise findings.
• Offers historical insight: It can demonstrate a history of drug consumption over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other drug testing alternatives.
• Variations in outcomes: Attributes such as hair color and individual variances in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though frequently called "hair follicle tests", this test actually analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in La Huerta, NM. Hair testing provides a competitive edge over traditional urine tests due to superior detection accuracy and reliability.

Choosing hair follicle testing means opting for a method that provides comprehensive coverage, reducing false negatives associated with urine tests. The longer detection period creates an advantageous scenario for investigations sensitive to time, revealing substance use with greater certainty.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in La Huerta, NM. Hair follicle testing captures drug use over a significantly long period, up to 90 days, allowing for a detailed view of an individual's substance history.

This extensive window offers employers a broader perspective of usage trends, distinguishing it from shorter-term methods. With this information, more informed employment decisions are possible, fostering a safer and more compliant workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in La Huerta, NM. The hair follicle test reduces the possibility of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable, irrefutable results.

The integrity of the testing process is preserved through advanced technology and collection techniques, making it nearly impossible to cheat. This process provides assurance that the results are accurate, maintaining the highest standards of testing security.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in La Huerta, NM. Our extensive network of testing centers offers prompt and hassle-free accessibility to services.

This network ensures individuals have swift access to drug testing facilities, eliminating logistical concerns. Locally available services further facilitate convenience, making the testing process smoother for everyone involved in La Huerta.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in La Huerta, NM. The process for ordering, completing, and receiving hair test results is straightforward and private.

Every aspect, from scheduling to result retrieval, prioritizes confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns effectively. The streamlined approach simplifies the experience for all, allowing a focus on results without compromising personal data safety or ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in La Huerta, NM. Our competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times offer exceptional value for companies of various sizes.

The financial accessibility allows organizations to manage testing without strain, supporting their operational needs swiftly. The balance of affordability and speed ensures companies receive efficient yet cost-effective service delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in La Huerta, NM. Hair follicle drug testing offers unparalleled precision and speed. This method assures high accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring reliable results quickly.

The technology utilized in hair follicle testing ensures substance traces are identified efficiently, offering confidence in the results. This quick process supports both individuals and employers, promoting timely and trustworthy conclusions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in La Huerta, NM. Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks and enhancing safety.

With its reliable outcomes, this method helps maintain a secure and compliant environment. Employers benefit from peace of mind, knowing their policies are effectively upheld, enhancing overall workplace safety and protocol compliance.

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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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