Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Winston, NM

What it is, How it works

Seen as an influential method for identifying alcohol and drug involvement, hair analysis offers a historical glimpse by anchoring biomarkers within its developing strands. Hair positioned near the scalp can unveil an approximately 3-month substance usage history. Its straightforward collection process, relative resistance to tampering, and effortless shipping enhance its usability.

A 1.5-inch sample, about 200 strands (roughly equal to the diameter of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, perfect for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG add-ons or analyses exceeding 10 panels, gathering 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weight verification is suggested. If scalp hair is absent, equivalent body hair serves as an alternative. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in lab processing of drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning incorporates integrating a sample into a lab system by confirming proper sealing and transportation, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry lacking from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift assessment for abused drugs. While it’s a budget-friendly solution for ruling out drug use in most specimens, a positive screening result requires confirmation to hold legal validity. Any screenings suggesting positivity need secondary confirmation.

Should a Screening suggest positivity, more hair is extracted from the original specimen, proceeding to Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug analyses the most intricate methodology.

Confirmations of positive screenings undertake processes including GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Samples indicating presumptive positivity undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. Every lab operation from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Able to trace drug usage up to 90 days, whereas urine analyses offer a brief detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair analyses are considerably challenging to deceive, enhancing outcome precision.
• Shows usage trends: It reflects drug use patterns over time, rather than solely recent intakes.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become traceable in hair approximately 5-7 days post usage.
• Expenses: Generally, skin hair analyses tend to incur higher costs compared to alternate testing techniques.
• Result inconsistencies: Elements like natural hair color and variability in individual growth impact drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Despite the common term "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Winston, NM, hair follicle testing provides advantages over urine tests through its comprehensive detection capabilities. Hair tests can reveal substance use over a longer period, offering superior accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can only identify recent use, hair samples deliver a complete insight into an individual's drug history, making them a more robust option for thorough evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Winston, NM, provides an extended window for detecting drug use, spanning up to 90 days. This long detection period allows employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of an employee's substance use history, beyond the limited scope of urine tests. It captures a broader timeline, ensuring a thorough evaluation for workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Winston, NM, drastically reduces risks of sample adulteration. This testing method delivers results that are reliable and hard to dispute, assuring employers of the integrity and accuracy of the test outcomes. The secure collection process ensures the authenticity of each sample, providing peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience in Winston, NM, and nationwide with easily accessible testing centers. Our widespread network ensures that drug testing is straightforward and hassle-free, available wherever you are. With local locations, individuals and employers can quickly and efficiently access essential testing services without inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Winston, NM, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. High discretion ensures privacy, addressing concerns about confidentiality. The straightforward nature of the procedure allows individuals and businesses to seamlessly integrate testing without unnecessary complications or intrusions.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Winston, NM, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times for hair follicle testing. Companies benefit from affordable solutions that deliver high value, allowing organizations of all sizes to maintain drug-free environments without financial strain. The swift results cater to immediate needs, ensuring continuity and safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Winston, NM, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. The high accuracy in identifying drug use is unmatched, providing fast and dependable results. This method efficiently detects a wide range of substances, giving a clear picture of an individual's history. Employers trust these tests for their reliability and consistent performance in substance abuse screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Winston, NM, find reassurance in hair follicle testing as it supports compliance with strict drug-free policies. This method minimizes legal liabilities and enhances safety standards in the workplace, providing peace of mind. Its thoroughness and accuracy serve as a deterrent against substance abuse, contributing to a safer working environment.

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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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