Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Applegate, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly viewed as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug markers, embedding them within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or extended panels beyond 10, 150mg of hair is advised. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in processing a laboratory drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the phase where a sample is initially brought into a laboratory’s workflow. This step ensures the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any remaining information entry not provided through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening economically determines drug usage in most samples, a positive result needs further verification for legal admissibility. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair from the original specimen is used for Extraction. This phase involves hair drug extraction at much lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or saliva), making hair drug analysis the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and alignment with 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 with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: It is exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring the accuracy of results.
• Provides historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over time, not only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify immediate usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines 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 Applegate, OR

Hair follicle testing offers a significant edge over traditional urine tests, particularly in detecting long-term drug usage. The process is renowned for its accuracy and reliability, reducing false positives and ensuring comprehensive substance use assessment, unlike the short detection span of urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Applegate, OR

The hair follicle test's capacity to reveal drug consumption over a 90-day period provides valuable insights into an individual's habits. Employers gain a thorough understanding of a job applicant's or current employee's substance history, an advantage not afforded by shorter-term tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Applegate, OR

Hair follicle tests are inherently resistant to tampering, making them an ideal choice for accurate drug screening. The method's design minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, yielding results that stakeholders can trust without doubt or concern.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Applegate, OR

With a network of testing facilities located nationwide, accessing hair follicle testing is convenient and stress-free. Local centers, including those in Applegate, OR, ensure prompt service without the hassle, making the testing process exceptionally user-friendly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Applegate, OR

The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and maintains participant confidentiality. From ordering tests to receiving secure results, the entire procedure respects privacy, addressing common concerns with ease and assurance.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Applegate, OR

Our competitive pricing strategy, combined with a quick turnaround time, provides organizations with exceptional value. Hair follicle testing not only ensures cost-effectiveness but also expedites the screening process, contributing to effective management practices.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Applegate, OR

Hair follicle drug testing provides swift and precise outcomes, setting a new standard in substance detection. Known for superior accuracy, hair tests are highly effective in identifying recent and past drug use. Results are delivered promptly, allowing for timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Applegate, OR

Employers utilizing hair follicle testing can maintain drug-free workplaces with confidence. This method ensures adherence to drug policies, lowers legal threats, and enhances safety, ultimately providing peace of mind and safeguarding organizational integrity.

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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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