Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Luz, NM

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for uncovering past substance and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug consumption by holding onto biomarkers within the strands of developing hair. When gathered near the scalp, a hair sample can reveal up to a 3-month history of alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp can provide 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and verifying. For EtG tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. In instances where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent portion of body hair might be used. When mentioning head hair, we only refer to scalp hair. All other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.) are considered as body hair.

Process Overview

The key steps in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is about the initial handling of a specimen into a lab's system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and carrying out any additional data tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening carries out an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient strategy to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive outcome in screening necessitates confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require secondary verification.

If a sample shows presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is drawn from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, substances are retrieved from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most complex process to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before proceeding to confirmation as required. The whole laboratory routine from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, along with the compliance to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a briefer detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, resulting in more reliable findings.
• Tracks usage patterns: It reveals drug use trends over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot pinpoint recent consumption: Approximately 5-7 days are required before drugs show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing strategies.
• Differing outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the focus is on the hair strand analysis rather than the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When considering drug testing methods, hair follicle tests in La Luz, NM, prove superior to traditional urine tests. Hair testing offers better detection accuracy and dependability.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing can uncover drug use over an extended period. This offers a more extensive assessment of an individual's substance history, thus boosting reliability and efficacy.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in La Luz, NM, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing. Unlike other methods, this test can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior.

This extended period provides a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, empowering employers to make informed decisions about prospective employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in La Luz, NM, is touted for its tamper-resistant nature. The risk of sample adulteration is greatly minimized with this method.

This delivers reliable results, ensuring that test outcomes are free from doubt, thereby offering unquestionable evidence of substance use when it exists.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing services in La Luz, NM, offer unmatched convenience thanks to our nationwide locations. Access to hair follicle testing is streamlined, ensuring the process is hassle-free.

Local and national testing sites make it easy for individuals and companies alike to meet their testing needs without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in La Luz, NM, is simple and confidential. Individuals are assured of privacy throughout the entire procedure, from ordering to receiving results.

This ease of process addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a stress-free experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in La Luz, NM, boast affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. This combination ensures that companies get excellent value for their investment.

Competitive pricing structures make it accessible for companies of all sizes, providing swift service and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In La Luz, NM, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for offering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Its precision in identifying substance use stands unparalleled. By utilizing advanced technology, these tests guarantee a superior level of accuracy.

The speed at which results are delivered further enhances the reliability of this method. Employers can be confident in receiving prompt results, making informed decisions swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle drug testing allows employers in La Luz, NM, to maintain compliance with workplace policies. A drug-free environment is crucial for safety and legality.

This testing method boosts peace of mind for employers, reducing legal risks and fostering a safer workplace atmosphere.

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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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