Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Henefer, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. The fibers of growing hair strands trap biomarkers, offering a long-term history of substance use. Hair samples taken near the scalp can reveal alcohol and drug consumption over an approximate 3-month period. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

To obtain the ideal 100mg hair specimen for screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (about #2 pencil thickness) closest to the scalp is needed. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary laboratory steps in processing a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where a sample is processed into the laboratory system. This step verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a quick initial check for drugs of abuse. As a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage on most samples, any positive screening results require confirmation to be legally valid. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

Upon presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity of hair drug screening.

Positive screening results are verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before necessary confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests present a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It reveals a drug use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drug presence becomes traceable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Hair drug testing usually incurs higher costs than other methods.
• Variations in results: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth variations influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Henefer, UT exceeds urine testing due to its superior detection accuracy. This method offers a thorough and reliable drug screening.

Urine tests fall short compared to the comprehensive nature of hair testing, which remains unmatched in reliability and effectiveness.

Extended Detection Window

With a detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Henefer, UT offers a detailed insight into substance use history.

This extended view supports employers in understanding employee or candidate histories better, enhancing decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Henefer, UT is tamper-resistant, reducing adulteration risks significantly compared to other methods.

This ensures more reliable results, supporting its reputation for delivering unquestionable and accurate outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing locations nationwide, including Henefer, UT, ensure accessibility and efficiency.

Our centers are strategically placed for quick and hassle-free service, meeting the needs of diverse clients across various locales.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing procedure in Henefer, UT is simple and confidential, focused on privacy and ease from start to finish.

This process ensures that clients can trust in the security and simplicity of ordering and receiving their results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing, hair follicle testing in Henefer, UT is both affordable and efficient, catering to various businesses.

With rapid turnaround times, our services provide cost-effective solutions, alleviating concerns over time and budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Henefer, UT, hair follicle drug testing provides swift, precise, and reliable results. Its precision in identifying substance use is unparalleled, ensuring accuracy.

The method guarantees high accuracy, setting a reliable standard for drug detection, making it a preferred choice for many testing needs in Henefer, UT.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Henefer, UT supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal liabilities.

Employers gain peace of mind knowing that their work environment is safer and more compliant with regulations.

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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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