Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Malvado, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 strands of hair, approximately the width of a #2 pencil, provides a 100mg sample, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Measuring the specimen with a jeweler’s scale is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair is permissible for collection. By "head hair," we specifically mean scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory system. This step involves ensuring the sample's seal and proper dispatch, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary examination for signs of drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive result mandates confirmation for admissibility in court. Samples with presumptive positives at the Screening stage necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for the Extraction step. At this juncture, drugs are extracted from hair at a lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes employs techniques such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Difficulty in tampering: Hair drug tests are highly resistant to tampering, improving result accuracy.
• Provides historical usage: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs require 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Differences like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability in Malvado, TX. The extensive detection window of hair testing provides a more comprehensive understanding of drug use, making it the preferred choice for employers and professionals seeking precise results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in Malvado, TX, allows for the identification of drug use over an extensive period, typically up to 90 days. This extended detection capability provides employers with a detailed view of an individual’s drug history, beyond the shorter detection periods of traditional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
The robust structure of hair follicle tests considerably lessens the risk of sample tampering or adulteration in Malvado, TX. This method ensures reliable, uncontestable results that uphold the integrity of the testing process, offering peace of mind.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Accredited Drug Testing makes hair follicle testing accessible with numerous testing centers nationwide and locally in Malvado, TX. This widespread network guarantees quick, straightforward service, eliminating the hassle and making the testing process seamless.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
Our hair follicle testing in Malvado, TX, involves an easy, confidential process from ordering to obtaining results. Privacy and usability are at the forefront, ensuring that each step safeguards confidential information while maintaining simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times define hair follicle testing services in Malvado, TX. Companies benefit from substantial value and the assurance of timely results, catering to businesses of various scales looking for cost-effective and efficient solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Malvado, TX, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its exceptional accuracy and quick, reliable results. The method's high precision in substance detection ensures that tests are not only speedy but also dependable, offering recipients and organizations assuredness in test outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
In Malvado, TX, adopting hair follicle testing helps employers stay compliant with drug-free workplace policies, minimizing the potential for legal issues and enhancing overall workplace safety through accurate and dependable testing methods.

Drug Testing Near Malvado, TX

Sheffield, TX

Longfellow, TX

Juno, TX

Comstock, TX

Emerson, TX

Sanderson, TX

West Terrell, TX

Terrell, TX

Langtry, TX

Dryden, TX

Pumpville, 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