Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Glendale, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive record of substances like alcohol over time by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal the presence of alcohol and drugs for a period of up to roughly three months. Hair samples are easy to acquire, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (akin to a #2 pencil in thickness) from the area nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both preliminary and detailed analyses. For EtG, enhanced tests, or panels exceeding ten, a specimen weighing 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of hair from the body may be used. When discussing head hair, we are specifically addressing scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process consists of four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the start of processing a sample into the laboratory framework, which includes confirming that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing data entry absent from the electronic tracking system.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drug use. Though it is a cost-effective way to eliminate most samples from further testing, results that indicate drug presence require verification to be legally defensible. Any sample marked as presumptively positive during Screening needs confirmation.

If Screening results are presumptively positive, additional hair is drawn from the initial specimen for the Extraction procedure. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug testing one of the most complex methodologies to undertake.

Positive Screening outcomes undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples marked with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to Confirmation as necessary. The laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is inspected according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited following ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to ninety days, unlike urine tests which detect recent use over shorter spans.
• Hard to manipulate results: Cheating on a hair test is challenging, enhancing the credibility of the results.
• Insight into historical usage: It reveals drug usage patterns over time, offering historical insights rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent consumption detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is generally more costly than alternative test methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though termed "hair follicle tests," these tests actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In comparing hair follicle and urine drug tests in Glendale, UT, hair testing stands out for its superior detection capabilities. This method offers a wider detection window and higher accuracy, proving more reliable than traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

The extensive detection window of hair follicle testing in Glendale, UT, provides a 90-day overview of substance use. This comprehensive timeline helps employers understand an individual's long-term substance history, offering more insights than shorter-span tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Glendale, UT, significantly minimize the risk of tampering or deceit. This method ensures reliable, undisputed results, making it a preferred choice for maintaining integrity in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing locations across the nation, including Glendale, UT, we offer unparalleled convenience for drug testing services. Our ample network ensures effortless access to quick and stress-free testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Order, take, and receive results with ease and privacy in Glendale, UT. Our straightforward and confidential process addresses user concerns about privacy, streamlining the entire testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Providing swift and economical solutions, our drug testing services in Glendale, UT, offer competitive pricing and rapid results. This combination delivers excellent value, benefiting companies of every size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Glendale, UT, the precision and rapid results of hair follicle drug tests are unbeatable. Unlike other methods, hair testing's accuracy in identifying substance use makes it a reliable choice for employers and individuals seeking quick and definitive results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Glendale, UT, gain peace of mind and ensure compliance with drug-free policies through hair follicle testing. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety by delivering reliable drug use analyses.

Drug Testing Near Glendale, UT

Cedar City, UT

Tropic, UT

Cannonville, UT

Virgin, UT

Bryce Canyon, UT

Bryce Canyon City, UT

Apple Valley, UT

Hildale, UT

Brian Head, UT

Rockville, UT

Hatch, UT

Springdale, UT

Kanab, UT

Alton, UT

Orderville, UT

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