Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Santa Fe, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair shaft, hair offers a prolonged historical record of alcohol and other drugs. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide an estimated 3-month detection period for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's width) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. Measuring the sample with a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test involves four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step includes verifying the sample's seal and proper shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data processing not accomplished by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

For samples with a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis one of the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is conducted via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter period.
• Challenge to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, leading to more reliable results.
• Tracks usage over time: Offers a chronicled pattern of drug use over a duration, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though typically called "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Santa Fe, TN, stands out against traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy. Hair tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, far exceeding the shorter window of urine tests. This extended detection period offers a more comprehensive analysis of an individual's substance use history, providing increased reliability and transparency for employers and authorities alike.

Extended Detection Window

Extending up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Santa Fe, TN, provides a much longer detection period than other methods. This empowers employers with a detailed perspective into an individual's past substance use. With more comprehensive insights, decisions related to hiring or maintaining a drug-free workplace become informed. The capability to trace back three months is unmatched in assessing historical drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Santa Fe, TN, hair follicle tests ensure tamper-resistant results. This technique vastly minimizes the likelihood of sample manipulation, providing trustworthy and incontestable outcomes. The collection process is monitored meticulously, making it nearly impossible for individuals to alter their results. With such security, hair testing remains a preferred choice for genuine and reliable substance use detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Thanks to our extensive nationwide network, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenience with testing locations readily available in Santa Fe, TN, and beyond. This ensures quick and easy access to services, minimizing any hassle for individuals and companies. Whether locally or nationwide, testing can be conducted seamlessly at our centers, providing a stress-free experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Santa Fe, TN, the process of ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is handled with the utmost confidentiality. This straightforward approach ensures maximum privacy while addressing concerns regarding ease of use. By simplifying each step, from scheduling an appointment to obtaining results, individuals can take tests easily and discreetly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing services in Santa Fe, TN are characterized by affordable pricing and prompt delivery of results. This competitive pricing structure presents outstanding value for organizations of various sizes seeking reliable drug testing. Quick turnaround times further guarantee businesses' peace of mind, ensuring they meet necessary obligations and uphold their standards efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Santa Fe, TN, hair follicle drug tests offer fast and precise results. This method excels with its high accuracy in identifying substance use over a longer period, providing assurance and reliability in testing outcomes. Harnessing advanced technology, these tests quickly pinpoint drug exposure, delivering speedy and dependable results employers can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Santa Fe, TN ensures a sense of compliance and peace by reinforcing workplace drug-free policies. By adopting this robust testing technique, employers reduce potential legal risks and bolster safety within the workplace environment. By relying on such accurate testing methods, an organization not only fulfills policy requirements but also promotes a healthier, secure workplace.

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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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