Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cheshire, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a timeline of alcohol and drug intake by ensnaring biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. Samples taken near the scalp can reveal a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It is recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in processing a drug test in the laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of the sample into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary manual data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails an initial swift assessment for substance misuse. Screening serves as a cost-effective approach to disqualifying drug use in most cases, although a positive screen must be confirmed for substantiation in legal settings. Samples that are initially positive during Screening require additional confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is retrieved from the original sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations here than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging process to conduct.

Confirmation of any affirmative screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. Every component of the laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the guidelines of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: A hair drug test is difficult to falsify, increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Provides usage history: It demonstrates a pattern of drug usage over time, as opposed to simply identifying recent use.

Limitations:

• Lacks detection of recent use: Drugs will take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often more costly compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Even though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure 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 Cheshire, OR
Hair follicle testing stands out due to its superior monitoring capabilities when compared to standard urine tests. These tests provide a reliable picture of an individual's substance use with unparalleled detection accuracy. While traditional urine tests have their advantages, hair testing’s greater detection period and reliability make it a better choice for those in Cheshire, OR.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Cheshire, OR
Hair follicle testing in Cheshire, OR, offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days, which surpasses the capability of other testing options. This extensive window provides employers with a detailed overview of an individual’s substance history, effectively informing hiring and employee monitoring processes. It’s a comprehensive solution that supports informed decision making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cheshire, OR
One of the key advantages of hair follicle tests in Cheshire, OR, is their resistance to tampering. Given how the samples are collected and analyzed, the risk of adulteration is significantly minimized. This feature ensures the integrity and reliability of results, providing confidence to employers and authorities that the results are unquestionable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Cheshire, OR
Our extensive network of nationwide centers, including those in Cheshire, OR, provides convenient access to drug testing services. This local availability ensures that clients can enjoy a quick, hassle-free experience without difficulty in accessing these essential services for effective substance screening.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Cheshire, OR
The hair follicle testing process in Cheshire, OR is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Every step, from ordering a test to receiving the results, is discreet, ensuring that privacy concerns are addressed. This method is easy-to-use, offering peace of mind for individuals and organizations alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cheshire, OR
Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Cheshire, OR, a suitable option for businesses of various sizes. This approach not only provides excellent value but also ensures that companies can make timely, informed decisions with peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Cheshire, OR
Hair follicle drug tests provide quick, precise insights into substance use. This method is not only renowned for its swiftness but is also celebrated for the high level of accuracy it offers. In Cheshire, OR, individuals and organizations can rely on this testing to detect drug and alcohol use efficiently, ensuring a dependable analysis every time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cheshire, OR
Utilizing hair follicle testing aligns with workplace drug-free policies, which supports legal compliance while enhancing safety. Companies in Cheshire, OR, gain peace of mind knowing that this method reduces legal risks while promoting a healthier, more secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near Cheshire, OR

Springfield, OR

North Springfield, OR

Halsey, OR

Glenwood, OR

Eugene, OR

Southeast Benton, OR

Bellfountain, OR

Coburg, OR

Badger Mountain, OR

Alpine, OR

Veneta, OR

Santa Clara, OR

Monroe, OR

Harrisburg, OR

Junction City, OR

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews