Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Waterflow, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair retains a detailed record of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, this can offer up to a three-month detection period for these substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for testing. For EtG, additional services, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. When referring to head hair, we solely mean scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test comprises four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab's system, which includes confirming it was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data not covered by an electronic custody chain.

Screening offers a preliminary examination for drugs. Although efficient for ruling out drug use in most cases, a positive result must be verified for court-use. Any presumptive positives in Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening indicates a positive, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations than other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair testing particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• High integrity: Hair drug tests are tough to manipulate, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: There is a 5-7 day lag before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests," the testing evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Waterflow, NM, hair follicle testing is favored over traditional urine testing for its superior detection accuracy and dependability. It ensures an extended detection period, capturing a broader drug-use history.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing is more resilient against attempts at tampering and offers a comprehensive view of any drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Waterflow, NM provides an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain deeper insights into an employee's or candidate's illicit substance use history.

Unlike short-term urine tests, hair tests offer a more detailed look at an individual's substance practices, highlighting any long-term patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Waterflow, NM represents a tamper-resistant drug testing method. The nature of this test significantly decreases the risk of sample manipulation.

Its robust design ensures dependable and clear results, giving stakeholders peace of mind about the accuracy of the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience for drug testing is paramount, and in Waterflow, NM, our nationwide testing centers provide exactly that. They ensure that accessing our services is both fast and straightforward.

These local centers allow for hassle-free booking and testing, making the process seamless for all your drug testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering and getting tested in Waterflow, NM remains simple and confidential. Concerns around privacy are carefully addressed, making sure individuals feel at ease and safe.

From the initial order to receiving your results, every step is designed to uphold your privacy while ensuring a straightforward experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Waterflow, NM offer affordable pricing structures alongside quick result turnaround times. This combination delivers superior value to companies, regardless of their size.

By balancing cost and efficiency, stakeholders receive peace of mind knowing they're getting excellent value without long waits.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Waterflow, NM, hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. Their precision in detecting substances is unmatched, highlighting why they're a preferred choice for many.

This testing method offers quick and efficient results without compromising on accuracy, ensuring timely and trustworthy outcomes for individuals and employers alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By incorporating hair follicle testing in Waterflow, NM, employers can substantially improve compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This not only reduces legal liabilities but also promotes a safer work environment.

The assurance of accurate results helps businesses maintain integrity and reinforce trust with employees and clients.

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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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