Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bonanza, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it is easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample encompassing about 200 strands of hair (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be gathered. In relation to head hair, we refer specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning comprises the initial handling of a specimen within a laboratory’s system. This step includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial expedited check for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in a legal setting. Any samples showing presumptive positives during Screening demand a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening stage, further hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is notably challenging.

Confirmation for any positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before Confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accrediting by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is significantly difficult, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the test itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bonanza, OR
Comparing the two methods, hair testing provides a much broader detection timeframe. While traditional urine tests might only catch recent drug use, hair tests reveal a history up to 90 days. This extended detection period gives a clearer view of a person's substance use habits, offering deeper insights and increasing reliability in drug testing endeavors.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bonanza, OR
Utilizing hair follicle tests means drug use detection is possible for up to 90 days. This extensive window allows employers to gather a comprehensive substance use profile of applicants or employees. Such tests offer valuable insight into consistent or past drug use, equipping decision-makers with essential data to maintain workplace standards and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bonanza, OR
Hair follicle tests stand out for their resistance to tampering, providing trustworthy and uncontestable results. Unlike other methods, the collection process of hair samples minimizes the possibility of sample adulteration. Thus, these tests serve as a robust checkpoint against manipulation, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bonanza, OR
With our widespread network of testing centers across the nation, including locales in Bonanza, OR, accessing services has never been easier. This network assures quick, seamless, and stress-free testing processes, guaranteeing that individuals and companies can readily meet their testing needs without hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bonanza, OR
Our straightforward procedure, from ordering and taking the test to receiving the results, is built around confidentiality and user comfort. We emphasize privacy, ensuring that every step of the process respects personal information, providing users with a secure and uncomplicated testing experience that addresses confidentiality concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bonanza, OR
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times offer substantial value to businesses. Whether large or small, companies appreciate the cost-effectiveness combined with efficient service delivery. This aligns with providing peace of mind, knowing that our services are both economical and reliable, meeting organizational needs promptly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bonanza, OR, the precision and speed of hair follicle drug tests have solidified their reputation. These tests are quick, delivering reliable and accurate results when detecting substance use. Their sophisticated analysis technology ensures you find dependable testing outcomes, minimizing any uncertainties. Additionally, the streamlined process allows for fast results, ensuring stakeholders can trust the information they receive.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bonanza, OR
Employers benefit significantly from hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies. This method reduces the risk of potential legal issues and promotes a safer working environment. By utilizing such reliable testing, companies demonstrate their commitment to compliance, contributing to overall operational effectiveness and workplace security.

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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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