Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lakewood Village, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair sampling is recognized as an effective mechanism for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair offers up to around a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair acquisition is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample length of 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, considered the optimal quantity for evaluation and verification. For EtG enhancements or test panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's best to measure the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't an option, a matching quantity of body hair can be used. When "head hair" is mentioned, it specifically means scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types, such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the preliminary integration of a sample into a lab's framework. This step verifies the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a randomized LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not covered by an electronic custody tracking system.

Screening performs a preliminary evaluation for drugs. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation for legally admissible evidence. Any samples that appear positive in Screening must undergo confirmatory testing.

For samples appearing positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other testing formats (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing particularly complex to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples preliminarily positive are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is observed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have shorter detection spans.
• Low possibility of tampering: Hair tests are notably difficult to evade, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing tends to be pricier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variation: Elements such as hair color and personal growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle tests over traditional urine testing in Lakewood Village, TX, offers superior detection capabilities. Hair samples capture a longer history of drug use, providing a window of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests only cover recent substance intake. Thus, employers are benefited by more comprehensive data.

The reliable accuracy of hair testing reduces the opportunity for manipulation and falsifications common in urine tests. This enhanced detection assures safer workplaces and well-informed hiring decisions.

Extended Detection Window

Lakewood Village, TX employers leverage hair follicle testing for its extended detection window, which offers insight into a person's substance use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days. This wider scope captures chronic patterns of use, rather than just recent intake, allowing for more informed evaluations.

This ability to view past behaviors over weeks or months gives employers a more comprehensive understanding of an applicant's or employee's reliability and adherence to drug policies, thus enhancing decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lakewood Village, TX, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures unquestionable reliability. Because hair samples are collected through standardized and observed methods, the results are protected from adulteration and fraud attempts that plague other testing methods.

The robustness of this testing methodology means results that can be confidently trusted, providing peace of mind to employers and legal authorities in their assessments. This lays a solid foundation for fair and safe policy enforcement.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide network is evident in Lakewood Village, TX, providing swift and hassle-free access to drug testing services. Our strategically placed centers make drug testing accessible and efficient for clients in any locale.

Having local testing options ensures that individuals and companies can meet testing requirements quickly and with minimal disruption to their schedules, allowing for seamless integration into daily operations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple, confidential drug testing process in Lakewood Village, TX with Accredited Drug Testing. Our streamlined procedure respects privacy while ensuring ease of use, from ordering to receiving results.

Confidentiality is of utmost importance, and our process is designed to put users at ease while maintaining discretion and efficiency. This transparency empowers individuals and employers, promoting trust and satisfaction.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Lakewood Village, TX stands out for its affordable pricing and quick turnaround times, offering exceptional value across company sizes. Our cost-effective solutions make comprehensive drug testing accessible without burdening budgets.

The fast turnaround ensures that companies can maintain momentum and address personnel needs promptly, while also benefiting from competitive pricing that supports regular compliance checks.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing stands out in Lakewood Village, TX, for delivering fast and accurate results. High precision in detecting substances makes this a valuable tool for employers ensuring a drug-free workplace. The speed of analysis with hair samples ensures timely feedback, crucial for decision-making and maintaining safety.

The reliability of hair follicle tests is unparalleled. With advanced technology, these tests provide a clear picture of an individual's drug use history, helping employers to maintain compliant and safe environments through accurate assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Using hair follicle testing in Lakewood Village, TX ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, relieving employers of potential legal issues. As this method is highly reliable and harder to manipulate, it enhances workplace safety by accurately reflecting employee substance use.

Hair tests afford employers peace of mind through compliance assurance, reducing the risk of breaches and promoting a secure and productive environment. This approach supports legal demands and health standards effectively.

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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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