Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Upper Fruitland, NM

What it is, How it works

Regarded as an effective method, hair testing serves for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures history of alcohol and other substances over an extended period by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken next to the scalp, hair provides a detection timeline reaching up to 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, it resists tampering, and is convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (matching the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp typically yields 100mg of hair, perfect for screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advisable. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't an option, an equal volume of body hair should be gathered. Mention of head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (facial, armpit, etc.).

Procedure Summary

The primary stages in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system. This comes with confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input absent in an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening acts as an initial brief evaluation for drug use. Though Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use suspicions in most samples, a positive screen needs affirmation to stand in legal settings. All samples presumptive positive in Screening necessitate an extra confirmation.

A sample reflective of positive results in Screening undergoes further hair extraction for Analysis. At this phase, drug extraction occurs at a notably lower concentration from hair than in other tests (e.g., urine or oral fluid), lending complexity to hair drug analyses.

Confirmation of any positive screening derives from GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are cleansed as deemed necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and meeting the ISO / IEC 17025 benchmarks.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug evaluations can track drug use for as much as 90 days, unlike urine tests carrying briefer detection windows.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is challenging, ensuring greater reliability of results.
• Conveys historical insight: It illustrates a pattern of drug consumption over time rather than recent use solely.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: Drugs become noticeable in hair roughly after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments typically cost more than alternate drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Caution: Often named "hair follicle tests", the actual evaluation focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle situated under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing is Superior in Upper Fruitland, NM
Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing offers enhanced detection reliability. With a broader range of substance recognition, it allows for a more thorough assessment of an individual's drug history over an extended period.

Benefits Over Traditional Urine Testing
Hair testing surpasses urine testing not only in accuracy but also in terms of convenience and efficiency. It eliminates the possibility of sample tampering and ensures a more accurate supervision process.

Extended Detection Window

Long Detection Window Advantages in Upper Fruitland, NM
With hair follicle testing, drug use can be detected for up to 90 days. This extensive window provides organizations with a comprehensive picture of an individual's substance use history, beneficial for making informed decisions.

Comprehensive Substance Tracking
This extended detection helps employers evaluate a candidate's behavior over three months, offering an invaluable resource in maintaining a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing in Upper Fruitland, NM
Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering. Its process ensures authenticity and accuracy, mitigating the chances of result manipulation.

Integrity in Drug Testing
With a tamper-resistant methodology, hair tests provide security that urine tests may not. This reliability gives employers confidence in the authenticity of results, fostering trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Wide Access in Upper Fruitland, NM
With numerous testing locations, Accredited Drug Testing ensures quick and convenient services nationwide. This accessibility allows individuals to undergo testing without hassle.

Convenient Testing Availability
Regardless of location, our centers deliver efficient and prompt hair testing, making it effortless for clients in Upper Fruitland, NM, and beyond to secure necessary services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined Process in Upper Fruitland, NM
Ordering and undertaking hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. Our process is designed with user privacy in mind, ensuring a stress-free experience from start to finish.

Confidentiality and Ease
With a focus on both simplicity and confidentiality, we make the testing process accessible while safeguarding personal information, providing peace of mind for all individuals.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing in Upper Fruitland, NM
Our hair follicle drug testing offers cost-effective solutions with rapid turnaround times. Companies, regardless of size, benefit from our transparent pricing structure that offers great value.

Value and Speed in Drug Testing
Ensuring affordability, our services deliver fast results, allowing companies to proceed with confidence that their testing needs are met both economically and efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Results in Upper Fruitland, NM
Hair follicle drug tests offer a quick and efficient solution for substance detection. Their precision ensures reliable results that swiftly identify drug use, making them superior in accuracy compared to traditional methods.

Efficiency in Drug Testing
When time is of the essence, hair follicle testing provides results with remarkable speed, offering employers a dependable tool to quickly make informed decisions about their candidates or employees.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance Assurance in Upper Fruitland, NM
Hair follicle testing aids in enforcing workplace drug-free policies, minimizing legal liabilities and boosting safety. Employers gain peace of mind knowing their testing adheres to compliance standards.

Enhanced Workplace Safety
By integrating hair testing, companies benefit from high compliance, ensuring a safer working environment and reducing the risks associated with drug-related incidents.

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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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