Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Metlakatla, AK

Employment, DOT, Court Ordered, Personal
Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG

3 Hair Drug Testing Centers in Metlakatla

Minutes Away, Test Today

320 Bawden St Apt 31315.03 miles

320 Bawden St Apt 313
Ketchikan, AK 99901

120 Carlanna Lake Rd16.21 miles

120 Carlanna Lake Rd
Ketchikan, AK 99901

3612 Tongass Ave16.30 miles

3612 Tongass Ave
Ketchikan, AK 99901

Employment, Court Ordered, Probation, Family

Accredited Drug Testing provides comprehensive hair follicle drug testing services in Metlakatla, Alaska. If you require a drug or alcohol hair test, our specialty lies in hair testing, with testing facilities available nationwide in various cities to conduct these tests. Generally, 1.5 to 2 inches of hair is necessary either from the crown or body. Hair tests can be customized for drugs, alcohol/ETG, or other options.

The method of drug testing has increasingly included hair follicle drug tests in recent years. Many employers, judicial systems, and substance abuse experts now prefer these over traditional urine tests. Employers with zero-tolerance for drug usage, the judicial system, and individuals on probation employ this test. The main advantage of hair follicle testing is a longer detection period—up to 90 days—using an observed collection, making it nearly impossible to adulterate. However, for detecting drug use within the past five days, urine tests remain the gold standard.

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for detecting usage of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a historical record of drug and alcohol use by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is a straightforward process, relatively challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 strands (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) gathered from the area nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal specimen for screening and confirmation purposes. For tests including EtG, add-ons, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be used. By "head hair", we refer solely to scalp hair. The term "body hair" encompasses all other hair forms (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The essential steps in a lab's processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial phase where a sample is integrated into the laboratory's system. This step involves ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, an initial swift examination for drugs of abuse occurs. While Screening is cost-efficient for dismissing drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples yielding a presumptive positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

If a sample yields a presumptive positive during the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This step involves removing drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to execute.

Confirmations of any positive screenings are performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all presumptive positive samples are washed as required. The comprehensive lab process, from Accessioning through to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

  • Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
  • Difficult to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is significantly challenging, leading to more reliable outcomes.
  • Historical usage data: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

  • Inability to detect recent usage: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to appear in the hair.
  • Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing options.
  • Result fluctuations: Variables like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Although called "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Metlakatla, AK

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine tests by offering superior detection and accuracy. With a longer detection period and difficult-to-falsify results, hair testing is highly reliable, giving employers confidence in their drug screening process.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Metlakatla, AK

The ability of hair follicle tests to detect drug use over a prolonged period, extending up to 90 days, provides a thorough overview of an individual's substance history. This helps employers make informed decisions about potential hires or existing employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Metlakatla, AK

Hair follicle tests are resistant to tampering, significantly minimizing the risk of adulteration. The rigorous collection and analysis procedures ensure that results are reliable and difficult to dispute, making it an ideal choice for employers seeking trustworthy testing methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Metlakatla, AK

With testing centers located nationwide, individuals in Metlakatla benefit from quick and convenient access to our services. This widespread network ensures hassle-free and efficient testing, meeting the needs of diverse locations and demands.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Metlakatla, AK

Our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and keeps client confidentiality as a top priority. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving results, every step is designed to be seamless, making it easy for individuals to use our services without privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Metlakatla, AK

We boast competitive pricing and rapid results, providing exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. This combination of affordability and speed ensures that companies not only save costs but also benefit from quick access to drug testing outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Metlakatla, AK

Hair follicle testing stands out due to its precision and rapid analysis, providing high accuracy in detecting substance use. This method ensures that substance detection is swift and accurate, allowing for quick decision-making and reliable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Metlakatla, AK

By implementing hair follicle testing, employers can assure compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities and promoting a safer work environment. This method offers peace of mind knowing that the testing process supports workplace safety and integrity.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

A hair follicle drug test analyzes a small sample of hair to detect a history of drug use over time. Because drug metabolites are incorporated into hair as it grows, this method can show patterns of use instead of just recent exposure. It is frequently used for legal and court requirements, long-term monitoring, and high-trust workforce screening.
Standard hair drug testing typically reflects drug use over approximately a 90-day period, based on the length of hair collected at the time of testing. Longer hair can sometimes reflect a longer time frame, and extremely short hair can reduce that window.
Hair drug testing commonly screens for marijuana/THC, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines/methamphetamines, and PCP. In many cases, additional expanded panels may be requested to include other substances.
Yes. If the donor's head hair is too short or unavailable, body hair may be collected as an alternative. The collector will document the source of the sample. This allows testing even for individuals with recently cut or shaved head hair.
Yes. Hair drug testing is commonly used in court, probation, custody, and compliance matters because the collection process follows a documented chain of custody and the analysis is performed by a certified laboratory. Results are provided in a form that can be reviewed by legal and administrative authorities.
Yes. Individuals, parents, attorneys, employers, and probation programs can all request hair drug testing. A doctor's order is not required. Results are confidential and released only to the authorized requesting party.
Hair testing provides a longer look-back period than urine testing, making it useful when you need to demonstrate ongoing abstinence or identify repeated/recent substance use patterns over time rather than just recent exposure. It is frequently selected for legal, compliance, and custody-related documentation.
A small section of hair is cut by a trained collector in a discreet, controlled manner. The sample is sealed, documented, and sent to the laboratory under established chain-of-custody procedures so that the results can be defended if they are ever challenged.

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