Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bennion, UT

What it is, How it works

The method of hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a historical record of alcohol and drug use, capturing biomarkers within the fibers as hair grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can provide a detection timeline of up to roughly 90 days for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and easily transported.

A 1.5-inch segment containing approximately 200 strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for initial testing and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is suggested. Should scalp hair not be obtainable, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. In our references, "head hair" pertains solely to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other body areas (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

There are four crucial stages in processing a drug test result in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where the sample is integrated into a lab's system. This phase includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transmitted, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and compiling any further data not available through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a preliminary evaluation for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug usage in most samples, any positive results require verification to be valid in legal contexts. Any samples that test presumptively positive must undergo further confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are separated from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid tests), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging techniques.

The Confirmation of any positive Screening result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples that test presumptively positive are washed before confirmation if deemed necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed in compliance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair regulations and ISO / IEC 17025 standards of accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a more limited detection scope.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, providing more reliable results.
• Chronological data: This test can reveal a long-term pattern of drug usage, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It generally requires 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing often costs more than other drug detection approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as individual's hair color and growth rate can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair shaft, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests in Bennion, UT, hair testing emerges as superior. It provides better detection accuracy and is more reliable. While urine tests are common, hair tests offer a longer detection period and are difficult to manipulate, making them a preferred choice for many.
Employers benefit from its unmatched accuracy and the assurance that results reflect true substance history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Bennion, UT, is a key advantage. It can track drug use over a prolonged period of up to 90 days. Employers receive a comprehensive report on an applicant's or employee's substance use, allowing for informed decision-making.
This longer window offers a thorough look at a person's substance use, surpassing the capabilities of traditional tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bennion, UT, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution for drug testing. This method significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration, providing credible and unquestionable results. The robust nature of hair tests makes them the ideal choice for organizations looking for foolproof testing solutions.
Ensuring the integrity of results, hair testing provides a reliable alternative to traditional methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers, including Bennion, UT, services are quick, easy, and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing makes accessing testing locations straightforward, ensuring clients benefit from swift and efficient service.
Our expansive network guarantees you won't need to travel far for reliable testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Bennion, UT, is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are streamlined to maintain privacy and ease of use, addressing any confidentiality concerns.
Enjoy the assurance of a process designed with your privacy in mind, without unnecessary complexities.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Bennion, UT, delivers affordable pricing and fast turnaround. We offer competitive pricing structures suited for companies of all sizes, ensuring great value without compromising quality.
Experience swift results, reducing downtime and providing the peace of mind needed in today's fast-paced environment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bennion, UT, hair follicle drug testing stands out due to its precision and speed. This testing method is highly accurate in identifying substances, offering fast and reliable outcomes that employers and individuals can count on.
The accuracy of hair tests in detecting substance use ensures that results are trustworthy and delivered quickly, providing peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Bennion, UT, provides compliance and peace of mind for employers. Implementing this method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment.
Employers gain confidence knowing their drug testing practices are enhanced, secure, and compliant with industry standards.

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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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