Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tecolote, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for tracing drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When harvested near the scalp, it can reveal usage over a span of up to three months. Hair is easy to gather, moderately challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch snippet of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for producing a drug test outcome consists of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is integrated into a laboratory's system. It includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation to identify the presence of drugs of abuse. While Screening serves as an economical method to eliminate drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample is found presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted at concentrations much lower than those used in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

The Confirmation phase for any positive results from Screening employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Difficult to evade testing: Hair drug tests are hard to cheat, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Delivers historical data: Hair testing can reveal a timeline of drug use, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not suited for detecting recent use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the levels of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Tecolote, NM, stands above traditional urine tests due to its superior detection precision. Urine tests are limited by shorter detection windows, while hair tests provide a more in-depth analysis over an extended period. Their reliability ensures they are less susceptible to evasion tactics often encountered in urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Tecolote, NM, benefit from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window. Capable of registering drug use for up to 90 days, this method provides a detailed overview of an individual's substance history, vital for informed employment decisions. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer an extensive examination of past drug usage.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Tecolote, NM, minimize the risk of sample adulteration, enhancing the integrity of results. This testing method ensures reliable outcomes that are difficult to tamper with, bolstering employers' confidence in the accuracy and authenticity of test findings. Adulterating hair samples is notably challenging compared to other collection methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Tecolote, NM, residents benefit from convenient access to nationwide testing locations. With centers spread out across the country, including in nearby areas, individuals can easily access testing services. This widespread availability ensures that arranging for hair follicle drug testing is both straightforward and hassle-free.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Tecolote, NM, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every stage is designed to protect client privacy and facilitate ease of use. This clarity in procedure ensures individuals can participate in testing without worry over personal data security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our Tecolote, NM drug testing services offer both affordable pricing structures and a fast turnaround. Businesses can rely on our competitive pricing to manage costs effectively while benefiting from prompt test result delivery, ensuring excellent value without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Tecolote, NM, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and accuracy. These tests deliver rapid and precise results, ensuring a reliable assessment of substance use. By analyzing individual hair strands, follicle tests detect even minute levels of drug metabolites, confirming their exceptional sensitivity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Tecolote, NM, gain peace of mind from hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with strict drug-free workplace policies. These tests reduce legal risks and enhance workplace safety by confirming employee adherence to drug-free standards, fostering a safer and more productive 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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