Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Levy, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can present up to about a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easily shipped.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equal volume of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be validated for legal admissibility. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter window.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is very hard, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Provides ongoing data: It can depict a pattern of drug usage over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Cost: Hair drug testing typically costs more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Levy, NM
In Levy, NM, hair follicle testing offers several advantages over traditional urine testing. The most notable benefit is its extended detection window, which can showcase substance use history up to 90 days. This gives a clearer picture compared to more short-term focused urine tests.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing's enhanced detection capabilities make it a superior method for employers and professionals requiring comprehensive testing solutions. Its accuracy and reliability outweigh the traditional urine test.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Levy, NM
For employers in Levy, NM, hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This longer period offers a more thorough substance history review, aiding better employment decisions.

Applicants and employees in Levy, NM are subject to hair tests, allowing a full view of their past substance use. This comprehensive perspective stands unrivaled, making hair tests invaluable for organizations aiming at complete disclosure.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Levy, NM
Hair follicle tests significantly lower the risk of sample tampering, providing dependable and definite results in Levy, NM. The collection process deters adulteration attempts, ensuring the integrity of each test.

The robustness of hair follicle testing in Levy, NM is attributable to its resilience against sample manipulation. This tamper-proof quality enhances the reliability of drug test outcomes, gaining trust from employers and officials.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Levy, NM
Our vast network of testing centers, including those in Levy, NM, guarantees easy and efficient access to drug testing services. Whether nationwide or local, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient and hassle-free options.

With centers spread across the nation and in Levy, NM, Accredited Drug Testing makes accessing services seamless. Our clients enjoy simplicity and convenience, with extensive location options tailored to their needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Levy, NM
Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes a streamlined and private process in Levy, NM. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are made straightforward, assuaging privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use for all involved.

Simplifying the process in Levy, NM is Accredited Drug Testing's promise. Handling tests with utmost confidentiality, we deliver a user-friendly experience every step of the way, from ordering to receiving results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Levy, NM
Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing in Levy, NM, alongside fast turnaround times, delivering unmatched value across organizations of various sizes. Our cost-effective solutions ensure peace of mind.

In Levy, NM, businesses benefit from our affordable testing services, coupled with quick result delivery. Accredited Drug Testing guarantees exceptional value, responding to the needs of companies ranging from small to large.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Levy, NM
Hair follicle drug testing boasts precision and speed, making it an excellent choice for detecting substance use efficiently. In Levy, NM, this method is celebrated for its high accuracy rate, providing quick, reliable results that exceed other testing methods in both speed and detail.

With its ability to provide thorough results, hair follicle testing has become the method of choice in Levy, NM. The reliability and efficiency of this method mean faster turnaround times, ensuring that results are not only accurate but delivered swiftly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Levy, NM
Employers in Levy, NM prioritize hair follicle testing to comply with drug-free policies, minimizing legal exposures. This testing method helps reinforce workplace safety by ensuring thorough and reliable results.

Ensuring legal compliance and enhancing workplace safety in Levy, NM is achievable through hair follicle tests. Employers gain peace of mind, knowing their policy adherence is supported by a robust and reliable testing method.

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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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