Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Redmond, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair retains a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can reveal a detection window of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil), and closest to the scalp gathers 100mg of hair—ideal for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG addons and panels exceeding 10, it is advisable to collect 150mg of hair. The specimen should be weighed using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for drug test results comprises four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into a lab's records. This process ensures samples were sealed and delivered correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining data entry absent from the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a rapid assessment of drug abuse. Despite being a cost-effective strategy to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to hold up in legal situations. Samples flagged as presumptively positive during Screening need confirmation through additional tests.

If Screening suggests positivity, further hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, hair is processed to extract drugs at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing hair testing's intricacy.

To confirm any positive screening outcomes, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS tests are used. Presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation when necessary. From Accessioning through Confirmation, every step is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for a duration of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer shorter detection windows.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical perspective: It indicates drug usage trends over time, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to catch recent usage: Drugs become traceable in hair about 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentration in hair can be affected by factors like hair color or growth differences.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is incorrect, as the analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Redmond, UT, surpasses traditional urine tests due to its exceptional detection accuracy and reliability.
Why Hair Testing Excels:

• Extended detection period up to 90 days.
• Difficult to cheat.
• Suitable for zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

In Redmond, UT, hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, providing employers an extensive overview of an individual’s substance use history.
Advantages:

• Longer detection time than urine tests.
• A comprehensive substance use profile.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Redmond, UT, present a tamper-resistant method for drug screening.
Key Features:

• Lower risk of sample adulteration.
• Unquestionable results due to sample integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient hair follicle testing locations in Redmond, UT, with a broad nationwide network.
Convenience:

• Accessible testing centers everywhere.
• Swift and hassle-free service.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Redmond, UT, the process for hair follicle drug testing is simple and discreet.
Process Highlights:

• Easy ordering and testing procedures.
• Privacy guaranteed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our drug testing services in Redmond, UT, are both affordable and efficient, catering to the needs of businesses and individuals.
Advantages:

• Competitive pricing structures.
• Rapid turnaround times.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Redmond, UT, hair follicle drug tests provide exact and quick results, making them a preferred method for substance detection. The speed at which these tests deliver results is unmatched and provides confidence in their accuracy.
Benefits:

• Quick turnaround times.
• High accuracy levels.
• Reliability in substance use detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle drug tests in Redmond, UT, guarantees compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
Employer Benefits:

• Reduces legal risks.
• Enhances workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near Redmond, UT

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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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