Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lanark, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair, it offers an extended record of alcohol and drug activity. When cut near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window of up to three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hairs (around the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For testing like EtG, add-ons, or panels beyond 10, a 150mg sample is advisable. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen weight. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair. All other hair types, such as facial or axillary hair, are categorized as body hair.

Overview of the Procedure

The key stages in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial conversion of a sample into the lab’s system. This phase includes checking that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid check for substance abuse. As a cost-efficient way to rule out drug use in most samples, Screening requires confirmation of a positive result for court use. Suspected positive samples in Screening require further confirmation.

When a sample tests likely positive during Screening, extra hair is extracted and readied for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug testing is exceptionally challenging to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques verify any positive screening outcome. All samples showing presumptive positivity undergo a wash before confirmation if required. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is overseen according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Detection timeframe: Hair drug testing boasts a detection capacity of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter window.
• Resistance to cheating: The likelihood of cheating on a hair drug test is minimal, enhancing result credibility.
• Historical insight: The test sheds light on drug use patterns over prolonged periods, not just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs become detectable in hair after an interval of around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to incur higher costs relative to other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly mentioned as "hair follicle tests", the technique examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Lanark, NM, hair follicle testing emerges as a superior choice over urine tests. Its ability to capture a lengthy history of substance use offers distinct advantages. Unlike urine tests, which only detect recent use, hair testing provides a broader picture, improving detection accuracy significantly. This method delivers reliable outcomes, making it the preferred choice for organizations with stringent drug-use policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lanark, NM boasts an extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This extensive period allows employers to thoroughly assess an individual’s substance use history, far exceeding the brief detection window of urine tests. By offering such comprehensive insights, this method equips employers with crucial information when evaluating potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lanark, NM, hair follicle drug tests are recognized for their tamper-resistant nature, reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration. The integrity of hair sample collection and analysis limits manipulation, ensuring the authenticity of results. Employers benefit from this reliability, as it supports fair and accurate substance use assessments, which is critical for maintaining upheld standards and trustworthiness in testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With easily accessible testing locations nationwide, including Lanark, NM, our services promise convenience. These centers ensure quick, hassle-free testing experiences, accommodating urgent needs seamlessly. The widespread availability of our centers allows individuals and companies to manage their testing requirements efficiently, enhancing ease of access and reducing logistical challenges in obtaining reliable test results.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lanark, NM, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. We prioritize privacy at every stage, from ordering to obtaining results. This secure and user-friendly approach addresses client concerns, ensuring a seamless experience. Individuals and companies can trust our procedures to protect their sensitive information while facilitating easy access to necessary testing information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Lanark, NM benefits from our cost-effective hair follicle testing services. We offer competitive pricing structures combined with rapid turnaround times, ensuring value for all company sizes. Our commitment to affordability does not compromise on quality, providing businesses with peace of mind and enabling informed decisions without straining financial resources.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lanark, NM, hair follicle drug tests offer speed and precision unparalleled by other methods. Recognized for high accuracy, this testing effectively detects substance use. The methodology ensures swift results, serving the needs of businesses seeking reliable information quickly. Essential for critical hiring decisions, these tests make it hard to dispute the findings, boosting employer confidence in the outcomes they rely upon.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Lanark, NM find peace in utilizing hair follicle tests, as it aligns with workplace drug-free policies. This method aids in compliance, minimizing legal risks, and promoting a safer work environment. By choosing hair testing, companies bolster their commitment to a secure and compliant workplace, reassuring both management and employees of the organization’s dedication to safety and well-being.

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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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