Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Midway, NM

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by ensnaring biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 90 days for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising approximately 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This step involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective means to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, any positive screen must be verified to be legally acceptable. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

Should a sample be tentatively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening as one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Verification of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to three months, unlike urine tests which possess a shorter detection period.
• Challenges in deception: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For those in Midway, NM, choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing offers numerous advantages. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy and a longer detection window, providing a clearer view of drug use history.

Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests are nearly impossible to manipulate, offering reliable results that reduce the likelihood of false negatives. Thus, they have become the preferred choice for many.

Extended Detection Window

In Midway, NM, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, making it superior to other testing methods. This extended period captures more data on an individual's drug use history, allowing employers a thorough assessment of substance use.

This increased scope provides a comprehensive view beyond the limited timeframe of traditional tests, crucial for long-term evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Midway, NM, are known for their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other testing methods, these tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration, providing reliable and untampered results.

With their resilience against manipulation, hair tests ensure authenticity, delivering trustworthy data crucial for informed decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

For residents of Midway, NM, the availability of both nationwide and local testing centers offers unparalleled convenience. Our expansive network of testing facilities ensures easy access to services, making the process hassle-free for all individuals.

With locations readily available across the country, testing is made more accessible and efficient for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Midway, NM, is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the entire process protects privacy and ensures ease of use, accommodating the needs of individuals and employers alike.

This discreet approach mitigates concerns about confidentiality, promoting a seamless experience for all.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Midway, NM, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing alongside rapid turnaround times. This combination ensures exceptional value for companies, regardless of size, providing peace of mind with competitive rates.

Our commitment to cost-effectiveness and swift service delivery guarantees satisfaction and efficiency for every client.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Midway, NM, hair follicle drug tests promise fast, precise results. Their accuracy in detecting substance use stands out, making them invaluable for quickly identifying drug consumption.

The speed at which results are generated is another benefit, reducing waiting times and enabling quicker decision-making. Their reliability and consistency ensure that employers can trust the outcomes, fostering a drug-free environment efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing provides peace of mind for employers in Midway, NM, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. These tests help minimize legal risks and enhance safety by delivering accurate and reliable results.

By incorporating hair testing, employers can rest assured that they are maintaining a compliant and drug-free environment.

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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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