Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Colony, WY

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged historical record of alcohol and other substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and can be easily transported.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred quantity for testing and validation. For EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample weight. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair might be collected. When mentioning head hair, we are exclusively referring to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the laboratory testing of a drug test sample are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial assimilation of a sample into the laboratory’s framework. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and sent, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data input not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a fast preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is an affordable method to eliminate drug presence in most samples, a positive result must be verified for legal admissibility. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample is deemed presumptively positive during the Screening phase, extra hair is separated from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is one of the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assays can trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection timeframe.
• Challenge to dodge: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Shows usage history: Offers a track record of drug consumption over time, not solely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug examinations tend to be pricier compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can alter the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," the test scrutinizes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Colony, WY, hair follicle testing presents distinct advantages over traditional urine testing in assessing drug use. The unmatched detection accuracy and reliability are key benefits, especially for organizations prioritizing stringent drug-free policies. Hair testing identifies substance use over an extended timeline, unlike the short window with urine tests.

Moreover, the ability to detect drug usage up to 90 days enhances surveillance measures significantly, providing comprehensive substance histories. The observed sample collection of hair testing ensures a bias-free, accurate evaluation, offering employers utmost confidence in the testing results.

Extended Detection Window

One of the most substantial benefits of hair follicle testing in Colony, WY is its ability to detect drug use over a much longer period, up to 90 days. This extended detection window offers employers and other stakeholders a deeper insight into an individual's long-term substance use, presenting a more comprehensive view of their substance history.

This extended analysis period enables better-informed decisions concerning employment and compliance, particularly in sectors with strict drug-use policies. Employers get the advantage of verifying whether potential candidates maintain a drug-free lifestyle over a significant period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Colony, WY provides a tamper-resistant testing method. The structure of the hair sample and the controlled collection process ensure that the samples cannot be adulterated or substituted, offering reliable and unquestionable results that stand up to scrutiny.

This feature greatly minimizes the risk of tampering, a common issue with other testing methods, ensuring that the results reliably reflect the true substance use of individuals. Employers and legal entities alike can rely on these assured outcomes when making critical decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Colony, WY, ensuring easy access to reliable testing services. Our network is designed to provide quick, hassle-free testing for individuals and businesses, enhancing the reach and accessibility of essential drug testing services.

This widespread availability ensures everyone, regardless of their location, can experience the ease of accessing timely and accurate drug testing, facilitating a seamless integration into company protocols and ensuring timely compliance.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Colony, WY, the process for hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential, addressing common concerns regarding privacy and ease of use. From the moment of ordering, through the testing phase, to receiving results, the entire process is straightforward and ensures that sensitive information remains protected.

Efficient communication and secure handling of results create a sense of trust and comfort for all participants, making the experience as stress-free as possible, and reassuring organizations and individuals of the serious regard for confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, our hair follicle drug testing in Colony, WY provides exceptional value to companies of all sizes. The competitive pricing structures ensure accessibility without compromising on quality or speed of results.

By prioritizing cost-effectiveness and rapid result deliveries, businesses benefit from economical yet superior testing solutions, enhancing their ability to implement effective substance screening measures swiftly, without excessive expenditure.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Colony, WY is renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of hair tests in detecting substance use outshines that of other testing methods. This accuracy ensures that individuals and organizations receive the most dependable assessments, aiding in informed decision-making.

The tests' swiftness, without compromising accuracy, guarantees prompt results, which are crucial for employers and individuals needing timely information. The modern laboratories used are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that enhances both speed and precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Colony, WY achieve compliance and peace of mind by utilizing hair follicle testing for enforcing workplace drug-free policies. This testing method significantly reduces legal liabilities and enhances the overall safety and productivity of the workplace.

Companies can ensure thorough adherence to stringent safety standards and resilience against potential drug-related incidents. By selecting hair follicle testing, organizations foster a secure environment, reassuring both management and staff of a commitment to a safe, drug-free workplace.

Drug Testing Near Colony, WY

Pine Haven, WY

Rockypoint, WY

Oshoto, WY

Carlile, WY

New Haven, WY

Sundance, WY

Devils Tower, WY

Hulett, WY

Beulah, WY

Aladdin, WY

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