Hair Follicle Drug Testing - San Carlos, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a potent method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. It offers a long-term record by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it develops. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly three months for substances including alcohol. The method is easy to perform, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (approximately equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair isn't available, the same quantity of body hair can be utilized. The term head hair refers to scalp hair only, while body hair encompasses all other kinds (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the first phase, involving the introduction of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was securely sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for illicit substances. As an affordable method, Screening can rule out most drug use; however, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples testing positive in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

Should a specimen screen positive, additional hair from the initial sample is extracted for further processing. At this stage, drugs are withdrawn from hair at a lower concentration compared with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

The Confirmation step, essential for any positive screening result, utilizes GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Before confirmation, samples that are presumptively positive are washed as required. A thorough review of the entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage up to 90 days in contrast to the shorter detection span of urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: The accuracy of hair drug tests is enhanced by the difficulty of tampering.
• Provides usage history: Beyond recent drug intake, it offers a timeline of patterns over time.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: It typically takes 5-7 days for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests usually cost more than other forms of drug tests.
• Result variation: Variables such as hair color and personal hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing Hair and Urine Testing: San Carlos, TX Opting for hair follicle tests in San Carlos, TX, uncovers a broader detection window compared to urine tests.
Experience superior accuracy as hair tests reveal substance use over a prolonged period, ensuring employers remain informed. Position your San Carlos, TX organization favorably with this reliable and credible testing method.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in San Carlos, TX Uncover the benefits of hair follicle testing in San Carlos, TX, which captures a wide history of drug use up to 90 days.
This prolonged detection period aids employers in making insightful decisions, providing a broader view of an applicant's or employee's substance use history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Resistant Testing in San Carlos, TX Hair follicle testing in San Carlos, TX, provides a robust defense against tampering, ensuring trustworthy results.
With a collection process designed to withstand manipulation, your organization gains reliable data that upholds integrity and assures quality outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Locations Throughout San Carlos, TX Enjoy the convenience of Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide and local centers in San Carlos, TX.
Benefit from our extensive network designed for quick, seamless access and efficient testing services, ensuring your needs are met promptly without any hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Confidential and Straightforward Process in San Carlos, TX We prioritize simplicity and confidentiality in San Carlos, TX. Our process makes ordering, taking, and receiving your test results seamless and secure.
Rest assured your privacy is protected as you navigate through effortless steps to obtain timely and discreet drug testing outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Quick Turnaround in San Carlos, TX Affordable testing solutions are within reach in San Carlos, TX, with our cost-effective pricing and swift turnaround.
Our value-driven services cater to organizations of every size, promising both financial efficiency and quick, reliable results to meet varied business needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair Follicle Testing: Precision and Speed in San Carlos, TX Experience the precision of hair follicle drug tests in San Carlos, TX. With rapid processing and accuracy, these tests efficiently identify substance use, giving you results that instill confidence.
Access fast and reliable outcomes that paint a clear picture of drug use, all from the comfort of our local San Carlos facilities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Promoting Compliance and Assurance for Employers Reliance on hair follicle testing in San Carlos, TX, secures your business compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
This enhances safety and minimizes legal exposure, giving employers peace of mind and fostering a secure work environment in San Carlos, TX.

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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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