Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Thistle, UT

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands’ fibers. When gathered near the scalp, hair can indicate substance use for up to three months for alcohol and other substances. It is easy to gather, tough to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) from close to the scalp, yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. To accommodate EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a recommendation of 150mg of specimen is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is inaccessible, collecting a corresponding quantity of body hair is suitable. Here, head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for processing a drug test outcome involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial processing that integrates the sample into a laboratory's system. This encompasses verification that the sample is sealed and shipped properly, the assignment of a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and the completion of any data entry that an electronic chain of custody system does not provide.

Screening provides a preliminary evaluation of possible drug use. Although Screening is an economical approach for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive screen should undergo confirmation to be used in legal proceedings. Any samples with presumptive positives in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

In scenarios where the Screening stage indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair in significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is a complex methodology to execute.

The Confirmation of any presumptive positive screening result is processed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing of all presumptive positive samples is conducted prior to confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as accredited against the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug analyses can detect substance use for a period of up to 90 days, whereas urine tests are limited to a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Altering a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result reliability.
• Provides usage history: This method captures a history of drug consumption over time, not just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent use: An approximate span of 5-7 days is required for substances to be detectable within hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth might influence the concentration of drug residues in hair.

Note: Though often named "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing: In Thistle, UT, hair follicle testing emerges as a superior option over traditional urine tests. Its profound accuracy and reliability pinpoint drug use more effectively. Hair tests offer an extended window of detection, surpassing the capabilities of urine tests. This improvement provides a clearer understanding of an individual's drug history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window: Hair follicle testing excels in Thistle, UT, due to its capacity to detect drug usage over an expansive period, up to 90 days. This long detection range offers employers valuable insights into employees' substance history. Unlike other methods, this testing gives a broader view of drug use, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method: In Thistle, UT, hair follicle tests are preferred for their low susceptibility to tampering. The use of hair samples ensures that test results remain consistent and authentic. This method significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, securing trustworthy findings and minimizing doubts about their accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations: Discover the ease of accessing our extensive network of testing centers, including in Thistle, UT. Nationwide facilities provide quick, hassle-free service, enabling you to conduct necessary tests efficiently. Local availability ensures swift procedures without inconvenience, streamlining the testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process: In Thistle, UT, ordering, taking, and receiving results from a hair follicle drug test remains straightforward and private. The process respects confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns effectively. Ensuring your ease and peace of mind, our approach simplifies each step, maintaining your information's privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround: Our competitive pricing in Thistle, UT, combines with quick processing times, offering exceptional value. Organizations of all sizes benefit from cost-effective solutions and prompt results. These factors reinforce trust, contributing to a seamless testing process while ensuring affordability meets rapid service delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results: In Thistle, UT, hair follicle drug tests are known for their remarkable precision and speed. They swiftly identify substance use with high accuracy. Thanks to advanced technology, results are rapidly processed, allowing organizations to make informed decisions promptly. Hair testing not only catches long-term use but also delivers reliable and conclusive results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers: Utilizing hair follicle testing in Thistle, UT ensures compliance with workplace drug policies. It mitigates legal risks, boosts safety, and provides assurance to employers. Adopting this testing method helps businesses maintain a secure environment, protecting both employees and the company's 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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