Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jericho, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations are now recognized as a potent instrument for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When retrieved near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period for alcohol and drugs extending up to about three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion comprising around 200 hair strands (approximately akin to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It is advisable to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample was correctly sealed and transported, a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) is assigned, and any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system is completed.

Screening consists of a preliminary quick evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for legal purposes. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

In instances where a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, a further portion of hair from the initial sample is utilized for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lesser concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing exceedingly challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any initial positive screen is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed before confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in alignment with ISO / IEC 17025 certification standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, contrasted with urine evaluations which offer a reduced detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: It is exceedingly challenging to alter a hair drug evaluation, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage insight: It provides a record of drug usage over time, rather than simply recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are typically costlier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Even though frequently labeled as "hair follicle evaluations", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Jericho, UT:
With enhanced detection accuracy and reliability, hair tests offer superior benefits compared to traditional urine evaluations. In addition, employers value hair tests for their ability to provide a clearer, longer history of substance use. This results in

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Jericho, UT, offers a significantly extended detection window, providing drug use history up to 90 days. This broad timeframe gives employers and authorities a comprehensive insight into an individual's substance history,

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Hair Testing Method in Jericho, UT:
Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenient nationwide testing centers, including locations in Jericho, UT, ensures easy access to testing services nationwide. The broad network facilitates prompt and hassle-free drug testing processes,

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Jericho, UT:
Accredited Drug Testing offers a streamlined and confidential approach,

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Jericho, UT, provides affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, offering excellent value for organizations of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Jericho, UT, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed. These tests offer high accuracy in detecting substance use,ensuring reliable results quickly. This makes them a preferred choice for many seeking fast and dependable drug testing solutions.
With a focus on accuracy, these tests provide trustworthy results, enhancing decision-making for employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Jericho, UT:
Utilizing hair follicle testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks, employers enhance workplace safety, fostering an environment that promotes

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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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