Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Watrous, NM

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand fibers as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil), close to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If there's no scalp hair, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, and others).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures in drug testing consist of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase of processing a sample within a laboratory's system. This step includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry not provided by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening is an initial swift check for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen result needs confirmation to be permissible in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

If the sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is prepared from the original specimen for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methods.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The entire lab process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can determine drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Provides historical data: It reveals patterns of drug use over a period of time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Watrous, NM with its superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair sampling offers insight into longer-term substance use. This makes it ideal for employers seeking a comprehensive understanding of an individual's past behaviors regarding substance use.

The reliability of hair testing aids in capturing patterns of substance use, offering more than just immediate detection, unlike the traditional urine analysis that often focuses on recent use.

Extended Detection Window

In Watrous, NM, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing stands out. Unlike traditional screenings, hair analysis can detect drug use as far back as 90 days, granting a detailed view into one's substance history.

This expansive detection period is invaluable for evaluating an individual's overall history rather than just recent habits, making it a key tool for employers aiming for thorough assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Watrous, NM trusts hair follicle testing for its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine samples, hair tests are significantly less prone to adulteration, ensuring the integrity of the results.

The robust collection process of hair samples leaves little room for manipulation, making them a reliable choice for those requiring unquestionable outcomes and adding an extra layer of security.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing network ensures convenience across Watrous, NM. With numerous local and national centers, access to testing services is streamlined, offering hassle-free solutions.

This spread of locations guarantees that individuals and businesses receive prompt and efficient service, no matter where they're located, enhancing the ease of undergoing necessary testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Watrous, NM, the simplicity and confidentiality of hair follicle testing stand out. From ordering to receiving results, the process is designed to conceal personal information, maintaining test accuracy and client privacy.

This commitment to discretion and ease ensures that users can proceed with testing confidently, knowing their information is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our testing services in Watrous, NM are competitively priced, ensuring affordability combined with fast turnaround. We provide valuable solutions that cater to the financial needs of businesses of varying sizes without compromising on quality.

By maintaining cost-effective rates, we guarantee peace of mind while offering expedient results, reinforcing our dedication to client satisfaction across diverse economic spectrums.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Watrous, NM, hair follicle drug testing is synonymous with speed and accuracy. These tests swiftly provide detailed results, placing them ahead of traditional methods. The precision in detecting even trace amounts of substances makes them a preferred choice for professionals.

Beyond speed, the reliability of hair testing is unmatched. Within a few days of sample collection, conclusive results are produced, proving to be indispensable for swift decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Watrous, NM, hair follicle testing embodies compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to workplace drug-free policies, organizations mitigate legal risks and foster a safer, more secure environment.

The comprehensive nature of hair testing supports the enforcement of zero-tolerance drug policies, aligning with industry standards and contributing to workplace harmony and safety.

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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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