Hair Follicle Drug Testing - La Puebla, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-standing record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of its developing strands. When sourced near the scalp, it can reveal a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly equivalent to a #2 pencil’s girth) from near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for evaluation and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and any analysis exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair imply scalp hair alone, while body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, a sample is initially integrated into a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and executing any supplementary data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary analysis for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must be verified to hold up in court. Any samples deemed presumptively positive during Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample be considered presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than seen in other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

A positive screening outcome is verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed preceding confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which possess a more limited detection timeframe.
• Challenge to manipulate: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring increased accuracy in results.
• Delivers historical insight: It can showcase a timeline of drug usage over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: There is a necessary period of about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Results variation: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although frequently dubbed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In La Puebla, NM, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its longer detection period and improved accuracy. Hair tests provide a clearer history of drug use, offering a more reliable assessment than urine tests, which are limited to a shorter observational window.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle tests in La Puebla, NM, offer employers a thorough evaluation of an individual's drug use history. This longer timeframe ensures a comprehensive overview, unmatched by other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in La Puebla, NM, is its tamper-resistance. The collection process reduces the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring authentic and unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers are located nationwide, including services in La Puebla, NM. This network ensures quick and convenient access to drug testing services, streamlining the process for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In La Puebla, NM, our hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize privacy, ensuring a stress-free experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

La Puebla, NM, clients benefit from our affordable pricing and fast turnaround times. This approach delivers exceptional value, making our hair follicle tests accessible to companies of various sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in La Puebla, NM, boast high levels of accuracy and speed, making them a top choice for substance detection. These tests are engineered to deliver precise and reliable results, offering an unmatched level of confidence in the detection of substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing, employers in La Puebla, NM, achieve compliance with workplace drug-free mandates. This method mitigates legal risks and helps cultivate a safe work environment, boosting employer peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near La Puebla, NM

Jacona, NM

Nambe, NM

Pojoaque, NM

Cundiyo, NM

Chamita, NM

San Juan Pueblo, NM

Santa Clara Pueblo, NM

Santa Clara, NM

San Pedro, NM

Espanola, NM

Chimayo, NM

El Valle de Arroyo Seco, NM

Arroyo Seco, NM

Sombrillo, NM

Santa Cruz, 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