Hair Follicle Drug Testing - San Mateo, NM

What it is, How it works

Regarded as an effective method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption, hair analysis provides a retrospective account of usage by embedding markers in the fiber of the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair analysis can show drug and alcohol intake over an approximate three-month timeframe. It is straightforward to gather, resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 hair strands (similar to the girth of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG and additional tests or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample size is advised. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a similar amount of body hair is acceptable. When we reference head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (face, armpits, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test outcome in a laboratory encompasses four significant steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary review for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive indication must be verified to hold up in judicial settings. Samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample result in a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the principal sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a significantly low concentration compared to methods like urine or oral fluid, underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of any Screening positives is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary before confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair recognition and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair tests can reveal drug intake extending up to 90 days, whereas urine tests indicate a shorter detection span.
• Testing integrity: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, thus ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Reveals historical usage: It showcases a timeline of substance use over a span, not merely immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug analysis tends to cost more than alternative testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to traditional urine testing, hair follicle testing in San Mateo, NM, provides several advantages. Hair tests possess superior precision and are less susceptible to manipulation, offering unparalleled detection reliability. Their long detection window allows for a broader look at an individual's substance use, making them especially valuable for organizations with strict drug-free mandates.

Extended Detection Window

With an extensive detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in San Mateo, NM, allows employers to gain comprehensive insight into an applicant or employee’s substance use history. This long-term perspective is invaluable for making informed hiring decisions by understanding past behaviors and potential risks.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In San Mateo, NM, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing minimizes the likelihood of sample adulteration. Given the stringent collection processes, any attempts to manipulate results are largely ineffective, providing stakeholders with results they can trust and depend on for critical decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient testing facilities nationally, and importantly, right in San Mateo, NM. This ensures seamless access and reduces travel-related hurdles for individuals or businesses needing testing. The widespread availability enhances convenience, making the testing process straightforward and stress-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in San Mateo, NM, is simple and respects confidentiality. From ordering the test to collecting samples, and delivering results, every step is designed to safeguard privacy while maintaining ease of use. Individuals can be confident in the discretion and straightforwardness of the whole procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In San Mateo, NM, our hair follicle testing services are priced competitively, paired with fast turnaround times. This combination assures clients of great value, offering a cost-effective solution suited for companies of all sizes, without sacrificing the quality and swiftness of results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In San Mateo, NM, hair follicle drug tests offer fast, precise, and dependable results. The accuracy of these tests in identifying substance use is unparalleled, ensuring that any drug usage is detected with high reliability. The short time frame in which results become available enhances their practicality for urgent or time-sensitive situations, providing peace of mind for employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in San Mateo, NM, supports employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By doing so, companies can reduce their legal liabilities and cultivate a safer, more productive working environment, ensuring peace of mind concerning substance-related incidents.

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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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