Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cargray, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a robust instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended overview of drug and alcohol intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the evolving hair. Sampling hair near the scalp can yield up to a three-month detection period for various substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to mail.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp will produce a 100mg sample, optimal for assessment and validation. For EtG, additional substances, or assays exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for the sample is suggested for accuracy. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent volume of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair specifically denote scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the foundational processing of a sample into the laboratory’s workflow. This phase covers verifying that the sample has been correctly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data processing absent from an electronic custody tracking system.

Screening entails an initial swift appraisal for drug substances. Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug consumption in the majority of cases, however, test positivity must be substantiated to be valid in legal scenarios. Samples initially tested as positive in Screening require a secondary verification.

In cases of presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or saliva), underscoring why hair drug analysis is the most complex to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples presumed positive undergo cleaning prior to confirmation where necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can discern drug consumption for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Test integrity: Successfully falsifying a hair test is notably challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Historical consumption patterns: It reveals patterns of substance use over time rather than solely recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drug presence in hair becomes noticeable 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For Cargray, TX, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests with its enhanced accuracy and dependability. Hair testing reflects extended drug use history, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter period.

These tests are superior in detecting substance usage, helping employers in Cargray enforce drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Cargray, TX, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests. This broader window lets employers examine an applicant's substance use history comprehensively.

Employers benefit from insights into long-term drug use patterns, ensuring thorough background checks during recruitment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Cargray, TX, hair follicle tests greatly lower the chance of sample tampering. Their design makes it challenging to alter, granting trustworthy, definitive results.

Employers can remain confident in test outcomes since the method is resistant to adulteration or manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With widespread testing centers across Cargray, TX and nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing offers unmatched convenience for quick, hassle-free access to hair testing services.

Our expansive network ensures that getting tested is seamless, saving valuable time and effort.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, performing, and receiving hair follicle test results in Cargray, TX is both simple and confidential. Our method ensures privacy, putting to rest any concerns regarding data safety.

Such convenience enables individuals to engage with the testing process effortlessly while safeguarding sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Cargray, TX, our hair follicle testing services boast affordable pricing and fast result turnarounds, offering exceptional value for organizations of any scale.

By choosing us, companies benefit from both cost-effective solutions and timely results, enhancing peace of mind regarding workplace drug policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cargray, TX, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed, accuracy, and reliability. The precision these tests offer streamlines the detection of substance use, providing fast and faultless results.

The high degree of accuracy found in hair testing ensures that individuals are reliably screened, safeguarding both workplaces and personal reputations in Cargray, TX.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cargray, TX can achieve compliance with workplace drug policies through hair follicle testing, reducing legal liabilities. This testing method promotes a safer working atmosphere.

Ensuring a drug-free workplace fosters a secure and productive environment, minimizing risks associated with substance abuse.

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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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