Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Beavercreek, OR

What it is, How it works

Considered a potent means for identifying substance and alcohol usage, hair analysis captures a substantial historical record by embedding biomarkers within the hair fiber during growth. When harvested near the scalp, it offers a detection span for substances of up to 90 days. Its collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample, comprising roughly 200 hairs (analogous in thickness to a #2 pencil), near the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilize a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent portion of body hair is a suitable alternative. References to head hair indicate scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The critical stages in processing a drug test in a lab setting are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to welcoming a sample into a laboratory’s workflow. This step includes ensuring the sample's proper seal and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling out any supplementary data entry absent from electronic custody records.

Screening delivers an initial assessment for drug substances. While Screening economically eliminates most drug usage cases, a positive outcome demands Confirmation to stand up in legal settings. Samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening necessitate further Confirmation.

Should a sample test positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch for the Extraction process. Drugs are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than in other tests (e.g., urine or saliva), underlining the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of tentative positive results is through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All suspect positive samples undergo a cleansing process before Confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair terms and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair analysis can spot drug consumption up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter window of urine tests.
• Resistance to evasion: Cheating a hair test is arduous, enhancing result precision.
• Records usage patterns: It illustrates a timeline of drug usage rather than solely current habits.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent intake: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-ingestion.
• Expense: Hair testing generally incurs higher costs compared to other drug test methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", these evaluations focus on the hair shaft rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Beavercreek, OR, hair follicle tests proved superior to traditional urine testing. They offer enhanced detection accuracy, capturing a more extended period of drug usage. Unlike urine tests, which may miss recent substance use, hair testing presents a more reliable method, ensuring employers receive comprehensive and accurate drug history records.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

In Beavercreek, OR, hair follicle testing reveals drug use over an extensive period of up to 90 days. This broad detection window grants employers insight into an applicant or employee's substance history. As a result, companies can make informed hiring decisions based on a thorough understanding of the individual's drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Beavercreek, OR, hair follicle tests offer substantial protection against tampering. The observed collection process ensures samples remain unaltered, delivering dependable results. By minimizing the risk of adulteration, hair follicle testing secures the integrity of drug testing, providing unwavering and unquestionable reports for workplace screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations

In Beavercreek, OR, easy access to our nationwide hair follicle testing centers eases logistics for businesses. These conveniently located facilities ensure that individuals undergo drug testing without hassle, streamlining the process for both employers and employees. Local availability accelerates service delivery, minimizing wait times.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

In Beavercreek, OR, our hair follicle testing prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. The process of ordering, taking, and receiving results addresses privacy concerns and ensures ease of use. Individuals can trust in the discretion maintained throughout, resulting in a streamlined and stress-free experience for both companies and clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

In Beavercreek, OR, our hair follicle testing is known for its competitive pricing and rapid turnaround. Companies of all sizes benefit from cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality. Quick processing times guarantee that test results are available promptly, ensuring agility and value in workplace drug screening requirements.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Beavercreek, OR, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision. These tests accurately detect substance usage, providing reliable outcomes efficiently. The advanced technology ensures high accuracy, diagnosing drug presence effectively, and providing swift results, making them a preferred choice for dependable drug screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Beavercreek, OR employers, hair follicle testing supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It significantly lowers legal risks while enhancing safety by ensuring employees adhere to company regulations. Reliable results grant peace of mind, reflecting organizational commitment to maintaining an ethical and secure work environment.

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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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