Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Union, UT

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs through biomarkers within the hair’s fibers as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection period for these substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) from the scalp will provide 100mg, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It’s suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair can’t be collected, a comparable amount of body hair is an alternative. When we mention head hair, we specify only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory drug testing process involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step of processing a sample into the lab's system. This involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and handling any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for abuse substances. Though Screening is an economical way to dismiss drug use in most samples, any positive results must be verified for court admittance. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening must have secondary verification.

For samples with presumptive positives in Screening, more hair is drawn from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations significantly lower than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting the challenges of hair drug screening.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS confirm any positive screening findings. Presumptively positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect drugs for a shorter duration.
• Difficulty to cheat: The challenging nature of cheating a hair drug test results in more reliable outcomes.
• Provides historical data: It yields a record of drug consumption patterns over time, rather than mere recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in the hair.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier compared to other drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Factors like hair color and unique variations in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: The test often called a "hair follicle test" actually evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Union, UT, hair follicle testing significantly outshines urine testing in terms of reliability and scope. Benefits of Hair Testing: It provides a longer detection window while resisting most cheating attempts. Unlike urine tests, which might miss recent drug use, hair tests capture up to 90 days of history, offering a more comprehensive view of an individual's habits, thus supporting a safer and more informed decision-making process.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests stand out in Union, UT, due to their extensive detection window. Comprehensive Substance History: Unlike shorter-term urine tests, hair testing encompasses up to 90 days, delivering a full spectrum analysis of past drug use. This extended period provides employers with valuable insights into an individual's history, promoting informed decisions regarding employment and compliance with company policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Union, UT offers significant advantages with its tamper-resistant features. Reduced Adulteration Risks: The collection method, which utilizes a sample directly from the person under observation, makes it extremely difficult to fake or alter results. This high level of security ensures that tests provide unambiguous outcomes, thus fostering trust in the process and minimizing doubts about the integrity of the results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing simplifies the testing process with its extensive network of locations in Union, UT and nationwide. Convenient Access: Our centers are strategically placed to ensure prompt and easy access to drug testing services, reducing wait times and increasing efficiency. This convenience supports individuals and employers in maintaining compliance and upholding safety standards without unnecessary hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Union, UT is not only thorough but also straightforward and confidential. Easier Handling: From the initial order to sample collection and result reception, every step is designed with privacy and simplicity in mind. This hassle-free approach alleviates concerns about confidentiality, ensuring that individuals and employers can focus on the results without extra stress.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing in Union, UT without compromising on the quality or speed of results. Value for Money: Our quick turnaround times and affordable rates provide exceptional value, supporting businesses of every size to maintain compliance and safety standards. This balance between cost and performance ensures companies can rely on high-quality testing services within their budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests make them an ideal choice for those seeking dependable results in Union, UT. With advanced techniques, these tests offer quick turnaround times, providing vital information to employers efficiently. The ability to precisely identify substance use ensures that decisions are based on robust data, enhancing workplace and community safety.
Increased Reliability: Employers and officials can trust the precision these tests offer, making informed decisions without the delay often associated with other methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Union, UT, employers benefit from the peace of mind that hair follicle testing provides when maintaining a drug-free workplace. Enhanced Compliance: These tests help align with stringent workplace policies, effectively decreasing legal risks. By accurately detecting drug history over an extended period, hair tests support a safer working environment, reassuring companies that their policies are enforced diligently and ethically.

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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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