Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Red Rock, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective instrument for the identification of drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a comprehensive history of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and consisting of about 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is insufficient, an equivalent amount of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result involves four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step includes verifying that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid inspection for drugs of abuse. While screening is a cost-effective approach for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screening outcome requires confirmation to be valid in court. Any samples with a presumptive positive in screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample is found presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined 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 drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Difficulty in cheating: Overcoming a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: The test can reveal a usage pattern spanning time, rather than merely indicating recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are needed before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other drug testing procedures.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superiority Over Urine Testing:
Hair follicle tests in Red Rock, NM, offer superior detection accuracy compared to urine tests. They provide a comprehensive analysis of drug history over a longer period, ensuring better reliability in capturing past substance use.

Reliable Insights:
Unlike urine tests, hair analysis reflects prolonged drug usage patterns, making it an invaluable tool for employers, courts, and professionals aiming for zero-tolerance enforcement.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period:
Hair follicle testing in Red Rock, NM, uniquely detects drug use for up to 90 days. This lengthy detection window allows employers to gain a more detailed understanding of an individual's substance use history.

Comprehensive Analysis:
With the advantage of detecting substances over several months, hair testing offers substantial insights into patterns of use, surpassing the capabilities of more conventional methods such as urine testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Minimized Tampering Risks:
Hair follicle tests in Red Rock, NM, significantly reduce the chances of adulteration, delivering unquestionable and reliable results. This robust method ensures integrity and trust in the testing process.

Unquestionable Reliability:
By employing advanced collection and analysis techniques, these tests provide a dependable solution that nearly eliminates the risk of tampering and manipulation, safeguarding the validity of results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Access Nationwide:
In Red Rock, NM, individuals benefit from easy access to testing services through our extensive network of nationwide locations. These centers offer hassle-free and swift options for satisfying testing needs.

Local Testing Solutions:
Our strategically placed facilities ensure minimal inconvenience, providing a straightforward approach to securing reliable testing, regardless of your geographical location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined Testing Process:
In Red Rock, NM, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. The steps to ordering, taking, and receiving results are designed to be simple, addressing concerns about privacy and efficiency.

Confidential and Easy:
Focusing on client comfort and confidentiality, our testing process is crafted to provide a stress-free experience, ensuring ease of use from the initial order to receiving the results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective Solutions:
Our testing services in Red Rock, NM, offer competitive pricing structures and rapid turnaround times, providing significant value to enterprises of all sizes seeking reliable drug testing solutions.

Efficient and Economical:
With our affordable rates and swift processing, clients can confidently rely on us for economical yet proficient testing services, ensuring satisfaction and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed:
In Red Rock, NM, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their fast and highly accurate results. This cutting-edge approach ensures timely and reliable detection of substance use, providing peace of mind for those requiring precise evaluations.

High Detection Accuracy:
The advanced technology in hair testing guarantees meticulous identification of drug residues, surpassing traditional methods. This reliability ensures trustworthiness and valuable insights into an individual's substance profile.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Workplace Compliance:
Employers in Red Rock, NM, benefit from hair follicle testing as it guarantees adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances safety, providing peace of mind.

Peace Through Compliance:
Using hair testing ensures that organizations maintain compliance, allowing employers to enforce zero-tolerance effectively and foster a safe and secure work 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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