Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Del Valle, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair captures long-term use history by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When cut near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. It's suggested to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers exclusively to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory's system. This step includes verifying the sample's seal and shipping condition, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial evaluation for drug abuse. Although Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive result must be confirmed for it to be valid in court. Any samples that appear positive at the Screening stage need additional confirmation.

If a sample is positive at Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen and processed for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted at much lower concentrations than with other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Positive Screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Difficulty to tamper: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can exhibit a pattern of drug usage over time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand, not the hair follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Del Valle, TX

• Hair follicle testing outperforms urine tests in numerous ways, primarily through its superior detection accuracy and extended detection period.
• In comparison to traditional urine tests, hair follicle tests offer a more reliable interpretation of an individual's drug history, benefiting employers and other stakeholders in Del Valle, TX.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Del Valle, TX

• One of the standout features of hair follicle testing is its ability to detect drug use over an extended period—up to 90 days.
• This method provides employers in Del Valle, TX with a comprehensive view of an individual's past substance use, crucial for making informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Del Valle, TX

• Hair follicle tests reduce the risk of tampering, providing reliable and clear results that withstand scrutiny.
• In Del Valle, TX, individuals attempting to adulterate samples find it nearly impossible with hair testing, thus maintaining the integrity of the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Del Valle, TX

• Our extensive network of testing centers provides quick and hassle-free access, both nationwide and locally in Del Valle, TX.
• This accessibility ensures that individuals can easily undergo testing, reinforcing the convenience and efficiency of our services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Del Valle, TX

• The process of hair follicle testing in Del Valle, TX is straightforward and highly confidential, assuring privacy in every step from order to results.
• This simplicity makes it easier for all parties involved to engage with the testing process without concerns over confidentiality breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Del Valle, TX

• Our competitive pricing models and swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing a valuable option for businesses in Del Valle, TX.
• With an emphasis on providing value and peace of mind, companies of all sizes can benefit from these strategic advantages.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Del Valle, TX

• Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision. These tests provide a higher accuracy level in detecting substance use, attending to the need for reliable results.
• The speed of obtaining results from hair follicle testing in Del Valle, TX is another factor that sets it apart, ensuring timely updates on substance usage findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Del Valle, TX

• The use of hair follicle testing helps ensure compliance with strict workplace drug-free policies, aiding in reducing legal risks.
• Employers in Del Valle, TX benefit from the enhanced workplace safety associated with robust drug testing methods.

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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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