Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Soham, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and drugs over time by embedding biomarkers in the strands of growing hair. When procured near the scalp, hair can reveal substance use over approximately a 90-day period. Hair is easy to obtain, slightly challenging to tamper with, and simple to mail.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 hair strands (about the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It’s suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If head hair isn't accessible, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

Processing a drug test in the lab encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into the lab's records. This step ensures the sample’s seal and shipment integrity, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substance use. While it is a cost-efficient method for negating drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally acceptable. Any samples flagged as positive in Screening require further corroboration.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower dilution compared to other tests like urine or saliva, making hair drug examinations notably challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive result in screening is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity undergo washing before confirmation, as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and accredited by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug screenings identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a more limited timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very difficult, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Delivers historical insight: It offers a usage pattern across a span of time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcome: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself scrutinizes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Soham, NM, the advantages of hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests are significant. Hair tests offer superior accuracy at detecting drug use, showcasing an extended detection period. Unlike urine tests, which cover shorter time frames, hair testing can reflect substance use over months, making it a trustworthy solution for employers aiming to uphold drug-free workplaces.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Soham, NM, presents a comprehensive solution for long-term drug detection. Capable of identifying substance use for up to 90 days, this method grants employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance history. This extended detection window surpasses the limitations of urine tests, offering a thorough overview of drug use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The reliability of hair follicle testing in Soham, NM, is enhanced by its tamper-resistant nature. Sample adulteration risks are significantly lowered, providing results that are trustworthy and difficult to dispute. This method ensures that test samples remain uncompromised, offering peace of mind to those depending on the accuracy and integrity of drug testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers across the nation, including local options in Soham, NM, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience for all drug testing needs. Accessing our facilities is simple and hassle-free, allowing for quick and efficient testing services no matter your location. This extensive network ensures that high-quality testing is readily accessible.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle drug testing process in Soham, NM, is designed to be simple and confidential. Customers can expect a smooth experience from ordering to receiving results. Concerns regarding privacy and ease of use are well-addressed, as confidentiality is prioritized throughout the entire testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Soham, NM, benefits from our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle drug tests. We deliver excellent value that caters to businesses of all sizes, ensuring both affordability and efficiency. Companies can rely on timely results without straining budgets, reinforcing trust in our testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests in Soham, NM, are unparalleled. These tests not only provide fast and accurate detection for substance use but also ensure reliability. The advanced technology allows for rapid results while maintaining high accuracy levels, making it the preferred choice for individuals and organizations seeking dependable drug screening solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Soham, NM, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, minimizes legal risks, and boosts safety. By choosing hair testing, employers gain a reliable tool for ensuring a secure and drug-free work environment, reducing potential liabilities.

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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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