Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Togo, TX

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly understood as an effective method for detecting both drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended historical record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When extracted close to the scalp, hair can reveal a roughly 90-day history of alcohol and drug use. It's straightforward to procure, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, making it an optimal sample for both screening and verification. For tests that include EtG, add-ons, or panels in excess of 10, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" strictly refers to hair from the scalp. "Body hair" pertains to all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, the sample is first processed into the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigns it a unique Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completes any missing data entry that an electronic chain of custody system might not cover.

Screening offers an initial rapid check for the presence of illicit substances. While cost-effective for excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result must be verified to be valid in legal settings. Samples flagged as potentially positive at this stage require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test as potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods like urine or saliva testing, which makes hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All samples flagged as potentially positive are cleaned before confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes surveillance as per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests detect drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a shorter detection time.
• Challenging to falsify: Attempting to manipulate a hair drug test is notably difficult, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Tracks historical usage: It offers insights into long-term usage patterns, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs need about 5-7 days before they are detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often mislabeled as "hair follicle tests," the actual analysis assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is highly advantageous over urine tests in Togo, TX. It provides superior detection accuracy, with hair samples revealing drug use history over a longer span, up to 90 days. Unlike urine tests, hair testing is harder to tamper with, resulting in more reliable findings. This method is invaluable for employers aiming for stringent drug-free workplace policies.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Togo, TX benefit from the extended detection span offered by hair follicle testing. This method tracks drug use up to 90 days prior, offering a detailed record of an individual’s substance use history. Such comprehensive testing empowers employers to make more informed decisions regarding hiring and maintaining workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Togo, TX, significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. This method of drug testing is esteemed for its credibility, as hair samples are difficult to alter. Consequently, employers and officials can rely on the authenticity and accuracy of the test results provided, ensuring trust in the data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient access to nationwide testing locations, including in Togo, TX, Accredited Drug Testing facilitates hassle-free drug testing processes. Whether locally or across the country, accessing our hair follicle testing centers is straightforward, ensuring quick and seamless testing services for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing in Togo, TX, offers a confidential and straightforward process for hair follicle testing. The privacy and simplicity of ordering, collecting samples, and receiving results are prioritized, easing any potential concerns. Clients can be assured of a smooth and discreet testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing coupled with swift turnaround times makes Accredited Drug Testing in Togo, TX, ideal for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures ensure high-quality service without breaking the budget, while quick results provide peace of mind and value, facilitating informed decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Togo, TX, hair follicle drug testing is notably fast, accurate, and reliable. Its precision in identifying various substances makes it a superior option compared to other tests available. The technology used in these tests can accurately trace substance usage, ensuring timely and dependable results. Individuals and organizations alike can trust these outcomes for making informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Togo, TX, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with strict workplace drug policies. It reduces legal risks and promotes a safer work environment by providing reliable data. Implementing this testing method affords peace of mind, knowing that both compliance and internal safety standards are maintained 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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