Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pep, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a potent method for identifying substance consumption. Hair offers a detailed history of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they grow. When sampled near the scalp, hair provides an approximate 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, comprised of approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for testing and verification. For EtG, additional, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in the lab examination of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage, involving sample integration into a lab’s system. This encompasses ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data not included in an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides an initial swift assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening cost-effectively excludes drug use in most samples, a positive outcome must be corroborated for court validity. All samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter period.
• Hard to falsify: It is considerably tough to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It outlines a usage pattern over time, instead of recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent detection: Drugs become traceable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Price: Hair drug tests are usually more costly than alternative testing methods.
• Result variation: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Pep, NM by offering superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a more reliable assessment of substance use.

The benefits of hair follicle drug testing over urine tests in Pep, NM are evident. Hair tests deliver unparalleled accuracy and reliability, making them the preferred choice for many professional settings.

Extended Detection Window

In Pep, NM, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Pep, NM grants employers a thorough overview of an applicant's or employee's past substance use, which urine tests cannot match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Pep, NM offer a tamper-resistant method, reducing the risk of sample adulteration. These tests provide reliable and unquestionable results.

The reliability of hair follicle testing in Pep, NM is unmatched due to its resistance to tampering, ensuring integrity in drug testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing locations across Pep, NM and nationwide make hair follicle testing easy and accessible. Our centers ensure hassle-free access to services.

With numerous local and nationwide testing locations, accessing hair follicle testing services in Pep, NM is quick and straightforward.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Pep, NM, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. These tests ensure privacy and ease for ordering, taking, and receiving results.

The hair follicle testing process in Pep, NM prioritizes privacy, making it straightforward and confidential from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Pep, NM offers competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent value for companies of all sizes.

The affordability and quick turnaround of hair follicle testing in Pep, NM ensure businesses receive efficient and cost-effective drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Pep, NM promises speedy and accurate results. The precision of these tests lies in their ability to detect a wide range of substances efficiently.

When it comes to drug testing, hair follicle tests stand out for their ability to deliver fast and reliable results. This high level of accuracy provides peace of mind in detecting substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Pep, NM, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety.

Using hair follicle testing in Pep, NM, helps employers maintain compliance with regulations, providing peace of mind about workplace drug policies.

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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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