Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Trujillo, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. As hair grows, it captures biomarkers within its strands, showing a long-term record of substance use. Collected near the scalp, hair can indicate up to a quarter-year of drug and alcohol consumption. The collection of hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

An ideal sample consists of a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil), which provides 100mg of hair for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. A jeweler’s scale should be used for weighing specimens. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in lab processing for drug testing are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step, where the sample enters the lab system. This step ensures the sample’s packaging and transportation were secure, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing information not covered by an electronic custody record.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for illicit substance use. Though an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive Screen requires subsequent confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Positive presumptive Screen results necessitate further Confirmation.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other tests (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair testing is notably challenging.

Confirmation for any positive Screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before Confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace substance use for up to three months, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Cheating difficulty: Hair drug tests are hard to falsify, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Historical consumption pattern: They reveal drug use trends over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It typically takes around a week for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur more costs than other drug testing alternatives.
• Result inconsistencies: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Trujillo, NM, hair follicle testing distinguishes itself from traditional urine tests. It offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, proving advantageous for those needing thorough assessments. Hair tests detect substances over longer periods, unlike urine tests which may miss patterns of use. This makes hair testing a superior choice for employers aiming for accurate drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Trujillo, NM, benefit from the extended detection window provided by hair follicle tests. These tests identify drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. Such extensive detection capability is unmatched by other testing methods, allowing employers to make informed decisions based on reliable data.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Trujillo, NM, combats sample adulteration effectively. Its tamper-resistant nature ensures that results cannot be easily manipulated, providing trustworthy outcomes. This method significantly minimizes risks associated with altered samples, bringing a level of reliability to the testing process that other methods struggle to achieve.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations nationwide, including in Trujillo, NM. Our widespread network ensures that individuals can access testing services hassle-free, saving time and effort. The ease and accessibility of our centers make drug testing a stress-free experience for employees and employers alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Trujillo, NM, the drug testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to taking and receiving results, every step is streamlined to ensure user privacy. Concerns over ease of use are addressed, providing a straightforward and discreet testing experience that respects personal privacy and confidentiality throughout the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Trujillo, NM, offers competitive pricing structures combined with quick turnaround times. This provides exceptional value for companies of all sizes, ensuring affordability without compromising on quality. Fast and cost-effective testing delivers peace of mind, reinforcing trust and satisfaction for all involved parties.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Trujillo, NM, set them apart. Not only are they quick, but they also deliver high levels of accuracy in detecting substances. This reliability ensures that results are both fast and impeccable, offering peace of mind in crucial situations. Hair tests effectively discern substance use with time-efficient mechanisms, allowing for swift decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Trujillo, NM, helps employers comply with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks while promoting safety. This testing method offers peace of mind, ensuring that companies adhere to regulations and maintain a secure and compliant work environment. Enhanced protection against liabilities makes it an attractive option for businesses.

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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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