Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Naschitti, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has evolved into a robust technique for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. By capturing biomarkers within the strands of developing hair, it offers a prolonged retrospective view of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeline for alcohol and drugs extending to almost 3 months. It is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to dispatch.

A sample of 1.5 inches, with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for both screening and validation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10 types, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is suggested. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. For hair sampling, "head hair" specifically means scalp hair. "Body hair" includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in laboratory drug test processing include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial integration of a sample into the lab's system. This step ensures that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any pending data entry absent from an electronic custody record system.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient technique to identify drug use across the majority of samples, any positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Samples that indicate a presumptive positive during Screening mandate further confirmation.

In cases where a sample is presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower levels than through alternative procedures (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a particularly challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is pursued utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples presumed positive are cleaned as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation requirements of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can recognize drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing the reliability of the outcomes.
• Reveals usage patterns: It can outline a consistent timeline of drug consumption over time, beyond recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Attributes such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand and not the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Naschitti, NM outperforms urine testing by offering a longer detection period. This ensures a more thorough assessment of an individual's drug use history.

Urine tests might be a common practice, but hair follicle tests are superior in Naschitti, NM, as they provide a more reliable detection accuracy, making them the preferred choice.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Naschitti, NM, gives employers a comprehensive view of an individual’s substance use up to 90 days, surpassing the limitations of other test methods.

Detecting drug use over a longer period is a key benefit of hair follicle tests, which are extensively used in Naschitti, NM, offering a detailed substance history of individuals.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Naschitti, NM, hair follicle tests are regarded as a tamper-resistant testing method, significantly minimizing the risk of adulterated samples and guaranteeing the reliability of test results.

The design of hair follicle tests in Naschitti, NM, reduces tampering risks, providing results that are credible and surpass conventional testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including in Naschitti, NM, access to certified and easy testing services is swift and hassle-free.

Nationwide testing centers make it simple and efficient for Naschitti, NM residents to access hair follicle testing, underscoring convenience and ease of service.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of conducting hair follicle tests in Naschitti, NM is designed to be simple and confidential. Individuals can order, execute, and receive results while maintaining privacy and straightforward handling.

A seamless and private testing experience is offered in Naschitti, NM, with hair follicle tests that ensure confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Naschitti, NM boasts affordable pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle testing, ensuring businesses receive quality value while keeping costs manageable.

Competitive pricing and quick result delivery make hair follicle tests in Naschitti, NM a valuable proposition for businesses of all sizes seeking cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Naschitti, NM, hair follicle tests are renowned for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. Precision in detecting drug use is unparalleled compared to other testing methods, ensuring an accurate assessment of substance use.

Employers in Naschitti, NM, choose hair follicle tests for their precision and speed in delivering results. The high accuracy of detecting substance use is a hallmark of this testing method.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Naschitti, NM provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. By adhering to drug-free policies, they reduce legal risks and bolster workplace safety.

For employers in Naschitti, NM, utilizing hair follicle tests ensures compliance with workplace drug policies, enhancing safety and reducing potential legal challenges.

Drug Testing Near Naschitti, NM

Pinedale, NM

Rock Springs, NM

Yah-ta-hey, NM

Lake Valley, NM

Sanostee, NM

Twin Lakes, NM

Tocito, NM

Navajo, NM

Nakaibito, NM

Brimhall Nizhoni, NM

Crystal, NM

Reservation, NM

Newcomb, NM

Tohatchi, NM

Sheep Springs, 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