Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Manti, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method offers a comprehensive timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of incrementally growing hair. When hair is sampled near the scalp, it can reveal substance usage data from up to a 3-month duration. The collection process for hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Extracting a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, considered the optimal amount for testing. For EtG, supplementary testing, or panels exceeding 10, it's advisable to obtain 150mg. The specimen should ideally be measured on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair is acceptable. Scalp hair refers specifically to hair from the head, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The core stages in the lab analysis for a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the phase where a specimen is first logged into a lab's system. This phase includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and recording any additional details not captured by an electronic chain of custody platform.

Screening is a preliminary, cost-effective method of assessing drug use within most samples. However, for legal admissibility, positive results from this stage require further confirmation. Samples that test positively in Screening necessitate independent verification.

For samples that test positive in Screening, additional hair is separated from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. This phase isolates drugs from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is notably challenging.

Confirmation of any positive results is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a significantly shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug testing is difficult to cheat, increasing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: This method can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, beyond recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Cost factor: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: The test commonly known as a "hair follicle test" examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in accuracy and reliability in Manti, UT. While urine tests are more traditional, hair analysis offers superior detection across a more extended period.

Extended Detection Window

In Manti, UT, hair follicle testing's extended detection window provides up to 90 days of drug use insight. This long-term view is invaluable for employers assessing employee history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Manti, UT, significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering. This tamper-resistant method ensures trustworthy and unquestionable test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Manti, UT, and across the nation, our convenient testing centers offer a hassle-free experience. Quick and easy access to our services ensures testing is seamless.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Manti, UT, our straightforward and confidential testing process simplifies ordering and receiving results, ensuring privacy and ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and rapid turnaround in Manti, UT, our services offer excellent value, supporting companies of all sizes with peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The fast, accurate, and reliable results achieved through hair follicle testing make it a definitive choice in Manti, UT. Compared to traditional methods, it offers superior accuracy in detecting substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Manti, UT can rely on hair follicle testing to remain compliant with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal risks and ensuring a safe work environment.

Drug Testing Near Manti, UT

Mount Pleasant, UT

Gunnison, UT

Moroni, UT

Axtell, UT

Spring City, UT

Wales, UT

Centerfield, UT

Fayette, UT

Mayfield, UT

Ephraim, UT

Sterling, 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