Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bonita, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. Collected near the scalp, hair samples can reflect up to around a 3-month window of substance detection. The process is easy to collect, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, supplemental, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, we are exclusively discussing scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test result is processed through four primary steps in the laboratory: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially incorporated into a laboratory’s system. It includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use for many samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for courtroom admissibility. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require an additional verification.

If a sample is found presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from the hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screen results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The entire sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards for accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a limited detection period.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, yielding more reliable results.
• Historical data provision: These tests offer insight into drug use patterns over time, not simply current consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It typically requires 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are more costly than other methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Bonita, TX, hair follicle testing prevails over urine tests for drug screening. The benefits are clear when comparing the two.
Detection Accuracy: Hair tests offer superior precision in identifying substances.
Reliability: Provides consistent results unaffected by recent abstention efforts of the test subjects.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Bonita, TX offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window. Employers can review an individual’s substance use history over a period of up to 90 days.

• Allows employers to make informed decisions regarding hiring and retention.
• Offers a broader understanding of a person's long-term substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the top advantages of hair follicle tests in Bonita, TX is its tamper-resistant nature. This ensures the authenticity and legitimacy of the results:

• Difficult to adulterate compared to other tests like urine.
• Collection under supervision prevents manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Testing in Bonita, TX is made easy with our numerous nationwide locations, ensuring accessibility.

• Conveniently located, so no matter where you are, a testing center is within reach.
• Quick and hassle-free service, making the process seamless and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bonita, TX, the process of hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential. Key features include:

• Easy ordering procedures.
• Discreet collection and results delivery, with respect to privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our services in Bonita, TX offer affordable pricing with swift completion times. Businesses can enjoy:

• Competitive pricing designed to fit various budget sizes.
• Fast processing, providing results without unnecessary delays.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing provides rapid, precise, and trustworthy results in Bonita, TX. This testing method stands out due to its high accuracy in identifying substances.

• Quick turnaround time, ensuring results are available promptly.
• Accuracy in detection, reducing the chance of false negatives or positives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Bonita, TX, adopting hair follicle testing ensures compliance and fosters peace of mind. Benefits include:

• Compliance with drug-free workplace mandates.
  
• Reduced risk of legal disputes through strict adherence to testing standards.
• Heightened safety in the workplace 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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