Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sedillo, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair keeps a long-term record by trapping biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. With samples taken near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage up to a nearly 3-month span. Collecting hair is easy, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of around 200 hair strands, approximately 1.5 inches in length and similar in width to a #2 pencil, ideally provides 100mg of hair for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels above 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is entered into the lab’s system, ensuring it was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent in an electronic chain-of-custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary check for drugs. Although Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples presumptively positive in Screening need additional confirmation.

For a sample deemed presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for further Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods verify any positive from Screening. All presumptive positives undergo washing before Confirmation if necessary. The detailed lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection span.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is tough, ensuring greater accuracy of results.
• Offers historical usage data: It captures drug usage patterns over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent use detection: Drugs take about 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur more costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: The terminology "hair follicle test" is misleading as the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sedillo, NM
In Sedillo, NM, hair follicle testing emerges superior compared to traditional urine tests. This method surpasses urine tests with its enhanced detection accuracy. It reliably unveils lingering substance use due to its extended detection window, offering a comprehensive view of an individual’s drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sedillo, NM
Providing a detailed examination of substance use, hair follicle testing in Sedillo allows employers to view a comprehensive 90-day history. This extensive window surpasses the limitations of other tests, offering a thorough assessment of an individual's long-term drug habits, aiding in informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sedillo, NM
Hair follicle testing in Sedillo features robust resistance to tampering, guaranteeing reliable results. The validation of each sample minimizes risks associated with adulteration. This method empowers users with outcomes that cannot be disputed, ensuring the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Sedillo, NM
Facilitating easy and efficient access, our extensive network of testing centers includes locations in Sedillo, NM. This availability ensures that testing services are both quick and hassle-free, meeting the demands of diverse clientele without geographical constraints.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sedillo, NM
In Sedillo, NM, the hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure addresses privacy concerns effectively, offering users peace of mind through an easy-to-navigate experience that respects individual privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sedillo, NM
Offering competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, hair follicle testing in Sedillo provides businesses with economic efficiency. Regardless of company size, this test presents great value, balancing cost-effectiveness with assurance for timely, accurate reports.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sedillo, NM
The effectiveness of hair follicle drug testing is highlighted through its precise results offered swiftly. In Sedillo, NM, this method proves exceptional in identifying substance use with high accuracy. Individuals can rely on the integrity of hair testing for quick and incontestable outcomes, ensuring trustworthy monitoring.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sedillo, NM
Ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies, hair follicle testing grants employers in Sedillo, NM, confidence in maintaining a safe working environment. This method helps mitigate legal risks while boosting safety, thereby enhancing peace of mind for all organizational levels.

Drug Testing Near Sedillo, NM

Sandia Heights, NM

Manzano Springs, NM

Ponderosa Pine, NM

Carnuel, NM

Monticello, NM

Cedar Grove, NM

Cedro, NM

Edgewood, NM

Sandia Park, NM

San Antonito, NM

Cedar Crest, NM

Tijeras, NM

San Antonio, NM

Sandia Knolls, NM

Los Pinos, 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