Hair Follicle Drug Testing - San Elizario, TX

What it is, How it works

The use of hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term record of substance use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over an estimated three-month duration. Its collection is straightforward, tampering resistance is higher, and shipping is uncomplicated.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to determine the specimen’s weight. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process primarily involves four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This phase includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any extra information not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates verification for legal admissibility. Any samples tentatively positive in Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

When a sample tests tentatively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from the hair at substantially lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a particularly challenging technique to perform.

Confirmation for any positive Screening results is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. Before confirmation, all samples assumed positive are cleaned as necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited in accordance to 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 tests detect substance use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests with a shorter detection window.
• Cheating is difficult: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus ensuring more accurate results.
• Records historical substance use: Indicating usage patterns over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other drug-testing methods.
• Variability in results: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In San Elizario, TX, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine evaluation are clear. Hair tests boast a broader detection window, capturing drug use patterns far beyond the capabilities of urine tests. They also provide a more thorough and reliable assessment of an individual's substance history, unmatched by traditional methods.

Employers find hair testing superior due to its difficulty to alter or cheat. While urine tests are limited in their detection duration, hair tests ensure a comprehensive analysis over a span of up to 90 days, offering confidence in results that urine tests cannot match.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in San Elizario, TX, detects drug use over an extensive period of up to 90 days, surpassing the limitations of other testing methods. This broader window provides employers with a nuanced understanding of an individual’s substance use history, crucial for making informed hiring and retention decisions.

This extended detection capability is a strategic advantage, allowing employers to evaluate not just recent behaviors but long-term patterns, cultivating a more secure and drug-free workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle testing method in San Elizario, TX, greatly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration. Its collection process is supervised, making it challenging to compromise, ensuring that results received are trustworthy and unchallenged. This reliability surpasses that of traditional methods that can be more easily manipulated.

Employers benefit from this tamper-resistant method by gaining undistorted insights into substance use, helping maintain integrity and compliance within their organizations without fear of falsified outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including locations in San Elizario, TX, Accredited Drug Testing provides easy and convenient access to hair follicle testing services. These centers offer quick and hassle-free testing, ensuring that individuals and employers can access services swiftly and efficiently, no matter where they are located.

The broad reach of our testing locations means minimal disruption and more accessibility for users, streamlining the drug testing process throughout the country and locally.

Simple, Confidential Process

In San Elizario, TX, the process of hair follicle testing is simple and confidential. From ordering to results, every step is designed with privacy and ease in mind, ensuring a stress-free experience. Customers trust in the process’s simplicity, knowing their data is handled with utmost confidentiality.

This straightforward approach allows employment officials and individuals to partake in testing without concerns about privacy breaches, making the process both efficient and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in San Elizario, TX offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times for hair follicle testing. These elements, combined with high-quality service, provide excellent value for businesses of any size, ensuring that cost does not compromise the ability to maintain a safe, drug-free workplace.

Fast reporting and affordable options empower employers to incorporate effective testing solutions into their safety policies without financial strain, emphasizing value and reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and efficiency of hair follicle drug tests in San Elizario, TX, make them a top choice for accurate substance detection. These tests ensure high reliability in spotting drug use, providing results that employers and authorities can trust. Their speed and accuracy distinguish them from traditional methods, making them an invaluable tool for maintaining a drug-free environment.

For those seeking swift and dependable results, hair follicle testing offers a critical advantage through its ability to deliver timely and precise information. It ensures employers receive the insights needed to make informed decisions, promoting a safe and compliant workplace.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in San Elizario, TX benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to workplace policies, lowering legal liabilities, and promoting safety. This testing method offers peace of mind, knowing that it supports a compliant and secure work environment, vital for any company's operational integrity.

By adopting hair follicle testing, companies can confidently demonstrate their commitment to maintaining a drug-free atmosphere, protecting both employees and business interests.

Drug Testing Near San Elizario, TX

Homestead Meadows South, TX

Tornillo, TX

Fabens, TX

Horizon City, TX

Sparks, TX

Socorro, TX

Buford, TX

Morning Glory, TX

Del Valle, TX

Clint, 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