Hair Follicle Drug Testing - New Harmony, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as a robust method to identify substance and alcohol consumption. Hair stores an extended record of alcohol and drug usage by capturing chemical traces within its fibers as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for a period of around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for initial testing and verification. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair is unreachable, a comparable amount of body hair can be taken. Our reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory workflow for drug testing results includes four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into a lab’s system. This phase involves confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and completing any extra data entry not captured by an electronic custody chain.

Screening comprises a preliminary quick test to identify drugs. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, any positive results from Screening require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples must undergo secondary confirmation if initially indicated as positive in Screening.

For samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary sample for Extraction prep. This phase involves isolating drugs from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of any positive preliminary result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation, as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed for conformity with both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designations and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can indicate drug use over a span of up to 90 days, contrasted with urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Tampering with a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Provides historical data: Patterns of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use, can be discerned.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: A latency of about 5-7 days is required for drugs to appear in hair.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variations in results: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", this test examines the strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In New Harmony, UT, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are clear. Hair tests offer a superior level of detection accuracy, with a longer detection period—up to 90 days—far exceeding that of urine tests. This prolonged detection window provides a more reliable assessment of an individual’s substance use history, offering businesses confidence that they are making well-informed decisions.

Extended Detection Window

One of the standout benefits of hair follicle tests in New Harmony, UT, is their capability to reveal drug use for up to 90 days. This extended detection window is invaluable for employers who need a thorough overview of an applicant or employee’s substance use history. By covering a longer period, it offers assurance and a complete picture that urine tests simply cannot match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In New Harmony, UT, hair follicle testing provides a tamper-resistant method that significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. These tests are inherently difficult to cheat due to their collection process, which ensures the utmost reliability and integrity of each sample. This makes hair testing a preferred choice for achieving unquestionable and trustworthy results every time.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access in New Harmony, UT, through its nationwide network of testing centers. Our locations offer swift, hassle-free testing services, ensuring anyone who requires a test can quickly and easily access our professional facilities, whether locally or in other cities, guaranteeing prompt and efficient service everywhere.

Simple, Confidential Process

For residents of New Harmony, UT, the process of engaging with hair follicle testing is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, undertaking, and receiving test results are straightforward, ensuring all personal data and privacy concerns are thoroughly respected. This ease of use instills confidence in the privacy and convenience of testing activities.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in New Harmony, UT is accessible and budget-friendly, offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times. This makes our service a perfect fit for companies of any size, providing exceptional value without compromising on quality. These affordable solutions assure swift processing, giving businesses confidence and timely results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests make them an excellent option for New Harmony, UT. Their capability to accurately detect a wide range of substances sets these tests apart from others. With fast and reliable results, hair testing ensures you know exactly where you stand regarding substance detection. This accuracy doesn’t compromise speed, providing credible outcomes quickly and efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in New Harmony, UT can achieve compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies and reduces legal vulnerabilities. By enhancing worksite safety through precise substance screening, companies can foster a secure environment, safeguarding both employees and their business interests.

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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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