Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Woodside, CA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as a potent means for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. The structure of hair captures and stores biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collected hair, when taken near the scalp, can offer up to roughly a 3-month period for the detection of alcohol and illicit substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG extensions or tests exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should hair from the scalp be inaccessible, an equivalent amount of hair from other body parts may be used. When discussing head hair, it is specifically referring to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial or underarm hair).

Process Overview

The key phases in the laboratory examination of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the introduction of a test sample into the lab’s database. This encompasses checking that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, the allocation of a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entries that were not provided by a digital chain of custody protocol.

Screening conducts an initial rapid analysis for illicit substances. This step offers a cost-effective measure for determining drug use in most samples, yet a positive finding necessitates validation for legal admissibility. Any samples appearing positive in Screening require an additional validation process.

If the Screening phase indicates a possible positive result, additional hair from the original collection is set aside for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are withdrawn from hair at a concentration much lower than other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening one of the most complex techniques to execute.

The Confirmation stage for any positive screen is managed with GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before verification as required. The full laboratory process from Accessioning through to Confirmation is evaluated in accordance with the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria alongside accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 protocols.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption over up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which possess a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: Evading a hair drug test proves challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Chronological information: It reveals drug use trends over time, not solely recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detection of drugs in hair typically takes about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly compared to alternate testing methods.
• Result variability: Individual differences such as hair color and growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests in Woodside, CA, by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analysis provides a more extended detection window, revealing substance use over several months, and therefore offering a more comprehensive substance use history. This makes it an invaluable tool for employers and legal professions demanding meticulous screening procedures.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug tests extend the detection window significantly, often catching drug use up to 90 days back. In Woodside, CA, this means employers can gain a thorough understanding of an employee's or applicant's substance history. This extended window is invaluable for establishing patterns of behavior rather than fleeting behaviors, ensuring that employers make informed decisions based on comprehensive details rather than snapshots.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Woodside, CA, the integrity of hair follicle drug tests shines through their tamper-resistant capabilities, markedly decreasing sample manipulation risks. By significantly reducing the potential for adulteration or substitution, hair tests offer truly reliable and unquestionable results. This robustness ensures that all outcomes are trustworthy, assisting organizations in maintaining high standards of accountability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers, including local facilities in Woodside, CA, offer unmatched convenience for hair follicle drug tests. With easy access points nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing ensures that every individual or business can seamlessly avail themselves of our services. Our objective is to make the testing process as hassle-free as possible, emphasizing comfort and efficiency for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Woodside, CA, the process for hair follicle drug testing remains simple and confidential, ideal for respecting privacy while maintaining ease of use. From ordering to reporting, each step is streamlined and designed to protect personal information. Accredited Drug Testing focuses on minimizing complexity, ensuring that participating in the testing process is straightforward and secure from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Woodside, CA, offers competitively affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, providing excellent service and value. Our pricing structures are crafted to suit companies of all sizes, enabling easy accessibility to premium drug testing services. Quick result availability also ensures that our clients can make informed, timely decisions, bolstering their confidence and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Woodside, CA, deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results, setting a new standard in substance detection. The procedure is renowned for its precision, effortlessly identifying drug use with unparalleled accuracy. This ensures that businesses and individuals are always afforded the most reliable information possible. Leveraging advanced technology, these tests consistently provide rapid outcomes for planning and decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Woodside, CA, gain compliance and peace of mind by integrating hair follicle testing into their drug policies. Such measures ensure adherence to drug-free workplace guidelines, thus mitigating legal exposure and promoting a secure and productive work environment. By employing this robust testing method, companies boost employee safety and reinforce their commitment to a healthy workplace culture.

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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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