Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rutheron, NM

What it is, How it works

The practice of hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair preserves a prolonged record of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of actively growing hair. When taken close to the scalp, it can offer a detection range of around three months for both alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, not easily altered, and simple to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of about 200 strands (roughly equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those extending beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale for measuring the specimen is recommended. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. In terms of head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial intake of a sample into the lab's system. This process ensures the sample has been properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary rapid analysis for abused substances. While it is a cost-efficient way to rule out drug consumption in most samples, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation for courtroom acceptability. Any samples with a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In instances of a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at a significantly lower concentration from hair than from other fluids (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptive positive undergo a cleansing process prior to confirmation, if required. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use up to 90 days, offering a broader window than urine tests.
• Difficulty in adulteration: The accuracy is enhanced, as altering a hair drug test is significantly challenging.
• Reflects usage pattern: It delivers insights on habitual drug use over time, rather than recent consumption alone.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests have higher costs compared to alternate methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentrations might be affected by factors like hair color and differing hair growth rates among individuals.

Note: Despite common references to "hair follicle tests," the analysis pertains to the strand rather than the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Rutheron, NM Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy, surpassing traditional urine tests with its detailed, reliable results. Not only does it provide a broader detection window, but it also ensures the highest standards of reliability, making it the preferred choice for companies serious about drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Rutheron, NM One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. This method can identify drug use up to 90 days prior. This capability gives employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, enabling informed decisions on candidate selection or current employee assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Rutheron, NM Hair follicle tests are virtually tamper-proof, significantly minimizing the possibility of sample adulteration. Their design ensures that the collection and analysis processes yield reliable and unquestionable outcomes. This robust resistance to tampering offers peace of mind that the results obtained are authentic and accurate.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Rutheron, NM Our extensive network of nationwide testing centers ensures that accessing drug testing services is quick, effortless, and convenient. Whether you're in Rutheron or any other location, our facilities are designed to deliver hassle-free testing experiences, tailored for efficiency and ease.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Rutheron, NM Our testing process is both simple and confidential. From ordering to receipt of results, we prioritize privacy and ease, enabling seamless experiences. Assuring your confidentiality is our key promise, making sure you feel secure throughout every stage of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Rutheron, NM Our pricing structure is competitive, perfect for companies of all sizes looking for affordable testing solutions. Coupled with fast turnaround times, we offer exceptional value, ensuring rapid results without compromising on quality, reliability, or peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Rutheron, NM Hair follicle drug tests are known for their swift and precise results. Unlike traditional methods, they offer high accuracy in detecting substance use history. The process is insightful, revealing traces of drug use while maintaining quick turnaround times, assuring that you get reliable results efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Rutheron, NM Utilizing hair follicle testing supports compliance with workplace drug-free initiatives, mitigating potential legal concerns. By adopting this testing method, employers ensure a safer work environment and uphold regulations that contribute to overall organizational peace and efficiency.

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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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