Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Armstrong, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an influential method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair serves as a long-term indicator by incorporating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reflect drug and alcohol use over a period of up to around three months. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for initial testing and confirmation. For EtG assessments, additional analyses, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be obtained. When referring to head hair, it specifically means scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types like facial, axillary, etc.

Process Overview

The laboratory assessment of a drug test result involves four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system, verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage for most samples, yet a positive finding requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a secondary verification.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug testing is the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples initially testing positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The whole laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the guidelines of both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, compared to urine tests which offer a shorter window.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is exceedingly challenging to tamper with a hair drug test, which enhances result accuracy.
• Reveals usage trends: It can display a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just indicating recent use.

Challenges:

• Incapacity to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests," these tests actually analyze the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Armstrong, TX

The benefits of hair testing surpass traditional urine tests. Offering longer detection periods and higher accuracy, hair follicle testing provides a more reliable snapshot of an individual's substance use history. In Armstrong, TX, this makes hair testing the preferred method due to its superior detection accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

Prolonged Detection Period for Drug Use in Armstrong, TX

Employers benefit from hair follicle testing due to its extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability provides a comprehensive overview of an employee's or applicant's substance use history, giving employers in Armstrong, TX, valuable insights into their team members' past habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Resistant Testing in Armstrong, TX

Hair follicle tests, renowned for reducing the risk of sample tampering, ensure reliable outcomes. Their resilient nature makes them difficult to adulterate, guaranteeing trustworthy results in Armstrong, TX. When accuracy and integrity are necessary, these tests stand unrivaled.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Centers Nationwide and Locally in Armstrong, TX

With Accredited Drug Testing's vast network, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. Our testing sites, including ones in Armstrong, TX, offer a seamless experience, ensuring convenience and minimizing delays for individuals and businesses.

Simple, Confidential Process

A Streamlined and Confidential Testing Process in Armstrong, TX

The process for hair follicle testing is designed with simplicity and privacy in mind. From order to results, it ensures confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns comprehensively in Armstrong, TX, while maintaining ease of use at every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Quick Service in Armstrong, TX

Accredited Drug Testing delivers value with its competitive pricing structures and swift turnaround times. In Armstrong, TX, businesses of all sizes find our services to be economically viable and efficient, providing peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Efficient and Accurate Results in Armstrong, TX

Hair follicle testing stands out for its precision. With rapid and highly accurate detection capabilities, this method ensures reliable identification of substance usage. Trusted in Armstrong, TX, these tests swiftly deliver dependable results, reassuring all parties involved of their efficacy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Safety in Armstrong, TX

For organizations prioritizing drug-free policies, hair follicle testing offers peace of mind. Compliance with legal standards enhances workplace safety, mitigating risks for employers in Armstrong, TX. Implementing this method fosters a safer and more secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near Armstrong, TX

Pullman, TX

Clarendon, TX

Panhandle, TX

Palisades, TX

Howardwick, TX

Saint Francis, TX

Boydston, TX

Lake Tanglewood, TX

Vigo Park, TX

Groom, TX

Washburn, TX

Lark, TX

Ashtola, TX

Conway, TX

Claude, TX

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews