Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wagon Mound, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When acquired near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect amount for testing and verification. For EtG, auxiliary tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a similar volume of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other types of hair (facial, armpit, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not accommodated by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Any samples that are provisionally positive in Screening do require a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample is provisionally positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most complex method to conduct.

Verification of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All provisional positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection time.
• Hard to manipulate: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, making the outcomes more reliable.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over a length of time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently called "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle drug testing proves superior to urine testing in Wagon Mound, NM. It offers a more comprehensive and accurate detection of drug use, with results that are much harder to manipulate compared to traditional urine tests. This accuracy ensures employers have a better understanding of an individual's substance history.

The methodology of hair testing allows for reliable tracking of substance use over an extended period. Employers favor it because it showcases superior detection capabilities, making it a more dependable option than urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Wagon Mound, NM, benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing, which covers up to 90 days. This comprehensive timeframe enables a thorough overview of a person's substance use history. It serves as a valuable resource for making informed hiring and ongoing employment decisions.

The long window of detection provided by hair testing offers employers the ability to see beyond immediate activities, capturing a fuller picture of drug use behavior. It's an invaluable tool in maintaining workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests gives them a notable advantage in Wagon Mound, NM. Unlike other tests, they are highly resistant to sample tampering, ensuring the results are credible and trustworthy. This integrity is essential for settings requiring uncompromised test accuracy.

With the growing concern over fraudulent sample manipulation, hair follicle testing provides an effective solution that significantly lowers the possibility of adulteration. It guarantees that test outcomes remain valid and reliable, fostering confidence in their results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network of centers, including those in Wagon Mound, NM, guarantees convenience and expediency in accessing hair follicle testing. Our testing locations nationwide offer quick and streamlined services, ensuring hassle-free and efficient drug testing experiences.

The availability of local and nationwide centers facilitates an accessible testing process that suits individuals and employers alike, removing common barriers in drug testing accessibility and convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Wagon Mound, NM, the hair testing process is straightforward and respects confidentiality, addressing privacy and convenience. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, each step is designed to be simple, ensuring ease of use and confidentiality throughout the procedure.

Our process is tailored to minimize stress and maximize privacy, allowing individuals and businesses to benefit from the seamless and discreet nature of hair follicle testing. This enhances user experience while maintaining professional integrity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Wagon Mound, NM, offers competitive pricing for hair follicle testing, ensuring affordability without sacrificing quality. The combination of budget-friendly options and fast turnaround times delivers exceptional value, catering to businesses of any size.

Our pricing strategy not only makes drug testing accessible but also underscores our commitment to delivering timely and reliable test results, helping organizations maintain productivity and safety without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test stands out for its rapid and precise results in Wagon Mound, NM. Hair testing not only offers swift outcomes but also high precision in detecting substance use. The assurance of accuracy makes it a preferred choice in circumstances where reliability is crucial.

Speed and precision are pivotal in maintaining a drug-free environment. Hair follicle tests are engineered to deliver results expediently, catering to employers who demand quick insights into potential substance use, promoting safety and compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Wagon Mound, NM, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind by ensuring adherence to workplace drug policies. This method not only reduces risk but also enhances safety, helping eliminate potential legal ramifications related to non-compliance with drug-free mandates.

Utilizing hair testing enhances employer confidence in enforcement of drug-free guidelines, contributing to a secure and safer working environment. It mitigates risks associated with drug use, reinforcing a commitment to workplace safety and compliance.

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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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