Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sena, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers within the fibers, offering a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs. When harvested close to the scalp, hair can showcase up to a 3-month window of detection. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is perfect for screening and verification. For EtG, extras, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. We advise measuring the sample with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is missing, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" pertains specifically to scalp hair only. "Body hair" includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory journey of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary integration of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This process includes checking the proper sealing and delivery of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any extra data entry not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as an introductory swift assessment for abuse drugs. Although it's a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation for courtroom admissibility. Any samples suspect to be positive in Screening necessitate further verification.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for Extraction. Here, drug extraction occurs at a lower concentration than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology.

Positive screening results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All suspect-negative samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection duration: Hair tests trace drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair test is tough, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It displays a drug utilization pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to trace recent usage: Drugs become traceable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are pricier compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests," actual analysis investigates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Sena, NM, hair follicle testing exceeds urine testing by offering superior accuracy and reliability. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests provide a comprehensive detection window of up to 90 days, making them invaluable for employers and legal entities seeking thorough screening.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Sena, NM, boasts an extended detection window, identifying drug use for up to 90 days. This long-term insight is invaluable for employers seeking to understand an employee or applicant's substance usage history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Sena, NM, significantly diminish the potential for sample tampering, offering reliable results that can be trusted. This method's robust nature ensures that outcomes remain uncontested.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations nationwide, including Sena, NM, accessing drug testing services is streamlined and easy. This extensive network ensures quick and hassle-free testing experiences for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Sena, NM, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, every step prioritizes privacy and simplicity, addressing common concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Sena, NM, our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times on hair follicle tests provide excellent value. Employers of all sizes benefit from these affordable and efficient solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Sena, NM, provide a reliable solution for detecting substance use. With unmatched accuracy, these tests ensure that results are both fast and dependable, helping employers make informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Sena, NM, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it reinforces compliance with drug-free policies. It minimizes legal risks and enhances workplace safety, contributing to a secure and compliant 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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