Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Beryl, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of alcohol and drug intake by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sourced near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month observation window for alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient for transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 strands of hair (about the size of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and confirmations. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure for processing a drug test in the lab involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample within the lab’s system. This stage includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for drug substances. While Screening is an economical approach to exclude drug use in most samples, positive results necessitate further confirmation for legal acceptance. Any samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a subsequent confirmation process.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a more challenging methodology.

To confirm any positive results from screening, technologies such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. All samples showing presumptive positivity are cleansed prior to confirmation if needed. From initial Accessioning to final Confirmation, every stage undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days in contrast to urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Not easily manipulated: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Reveals historical usage: It provides an overview of drug use patterns over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other testing types.
• Results variability: Variables like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually focuses on the hair strand rather than the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over urine testing in Beryl, UT? Hair analysis offers superior detection accuracy, with the ability to uncover drug use over a more extended timeline. Its reliability far exceeds traditional urine tests, which are more easily circumvented and have a narrower detection window, providing a less comprehensive overview.

Extended Detection Window

In Beryl, UT, hair follicle testing provides a distinct advantage with its extended detection period of up to 90 days. This capacity offers employers a thorough assessment of an individual's substance history, unlike other tests with shorter timelines. Such extensive monitoring aids in making informed decisions regarding employment and compliance with company policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Beryl, UT, is an inherently tamper-resistant method, minimizing the risk of sample tampering. Unlike other tests, hair samples are less susceptible to adulteration, offering reliable and unquestionable results. This ensures that entities can trust the integrity of the test and make decisions based on truthful data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive nationwide as well as local testing centers in Beryl, UT, make the process convenient and hassle-free for individuals and businesses alike. With easily accessible locations, clients can efficiently obtain required testing services without unnecessary delays, ensuring timely and accurate drug testing results.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Beryl, UT, is straightforward and confidential. It simplifies ordering, sample collection, and delivery of results, while prioritizing privacy. This ensures that clients can confidently use this service, knowing their information is protected and the process is discreet and efficient.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Beryl, UT, our hair follicle testing services are designed to be affordable with quick turnaround times, offering exceptional value. Competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses of any size can access these services without financial strain, while receiving results swiftly to facilitate prompt decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Beryl, UT, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its robust accuracy, delivering fast and credible results. Unlike other testing methods, hair analysis is less likely to be influenced by temporary factors, ensuring a true reflection of substance use. This makes it a dependable choice when precision is critical for both employers and individuals.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle tests in Beryl, UT, helps employers stay compliant with workplace drug policies, providing a sense of security and peace of mind. Ensuring a drug-free environment reduces legal risks and enhances safety, contributing to a healthier and more productive workplace atmosphere.

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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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