Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ojo Sarco, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands offer an extensive history of drugs and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When a sample is gathered near the scalp, it can provide a detection timeframe of up to about three months for various substances. Hair sample collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or assessments beyond ten panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. It's recommended to use a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Head hair references specifically denote scalp hair. All other hair types, such as facial or axillary, are considered body hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning focuses on the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s framework. This includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not supplied by an e-chain of custody system.

Screening performs a preliminary rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive indication requires validation to be legally acceptable. Presumptive positive samples from Screening need secondary confirmation.

Specimens deemed presumptively positive in the Screening stage require additional hair extraction. During this step, substances are retrieved from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or saliva), which contributes to hair drug screening being the most intricate method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is done through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo pre-confirmation washing as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is thoroughly reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to falsify: Hair drug tests are very challenging to tamper with, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It supplies a record of drug usage patterns over time, instead of just noting immediate use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than alternate testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Ojo Sarco, NM, some key advantages emerge. Hair tests boast superior detection accuracy and reliability, identifying substance use over a longer timeframe.
Employers and legal entities prefer hair tests because of their extensive detection period and lower susceptibility to tampering. This ensures a trustable assessment of an individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Ojo Sarco, NM, is a significant advantage over other testing methods. Capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, this allows employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s history.
This comprehensive look into potential substance use assists in informed decision-making, providing a clearer picture of an employee or applicant's behavior over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Ojo Sarco, NM, offer a tamper-resistant method, ensuring reliable results. Unlike other testing forms, hair samples are less susceptible to manipulation, thus diminishing the chances of adulteration.
This makes hair follicle testing a preferred choice for those seeking accurate results free from question, vital in maintaining trust and validity in results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing facilitates convenient testing through nationwide locations, including sites in Ojo Sarco, NM. This widespread availability ensures quick and hassle-free access to testing services.
For individuals in need of prompt and efficient testing, our extensive network of centers provides a solution that is both accessible and user-friendly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ojo Sarco, NM, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. The straightforward steps of ordering, testing, and receiving results ensure ease of use, safeguarding privacy throughout.
This approach addresses concerns about confidentiality and accessibility, ensuring individuals can engage with the testing process comfortably and securely.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround in Ojo Sarco, NM, offer excellent value for companies of any size. Affordable pricing structures paired with swift processing of results ensure peace of mind.
Employers can take advantage of cost-effective testing without compromising on the quality or reliability of results received, making it a valuable investment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Ojo Sarco, NM, set them apart from other methods. Offering unparalleled accuracy, these tests can detect substance use reliably, providing peace of mind for employers and other stakeholders.
Unlike other forms of testing, hair follicle tests streamline the detection process, delivering results that are both fast and consistently dependable. Their ability to precisely identify drug use lends an edge in decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Ojo Sarco, NM, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free policies. This approach minimizes legal risks while bolstering workplace safety and compliance.
By relying on this method, companies can provide a safer work environment, assured of reliable testing results, and maintain the integrity of their operations.

Drug Testing Near Ojo Sarco, NM

Bosque, NM

Chimayo, NM

Canova, NM

Embudo, NM

Velarde, NM

Pilar, NM

Cordova, NM

Vadito, NM

Dixon, NM

Picuris Pueblo, NM

Rodarte, NM

Truchas, NM

Rio Lucio, NM

Chamizal, NM

Chamisal, 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