Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Curtin, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. It captures a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection window of up to about three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of roughly 200 hairs (think of the diameter of a #2 pencil), close to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG in particular, or for more extensive testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" here refers specifically to scalp hair. "Body hair" encompasses facial, axillary, and other hair types.

Process Overview

The process comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the preliminary handling of a sample within a lab's system. It involves ensuring the sample's seal and shipment were intact, assigning a Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN) randomly, and finishing any extra data recording not already handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid check for abusive drugs. Though Screening effectively rules out drug use in most samples at a low cost, any positive screens must be verified for legal admissibility. All samples that test positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a sample appear positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are taken out of hair at much lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging to execute.

Confirmation of any positive results from Screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing positive need washing before confirmation when necessary. The full laboratory steps from Accessioning to Confirmation are scrutinized under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection time.
• Hard to falsify: It is quite challenging to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Reveals historical patterns: The test can demonstrate patterns of drug use over time, not limited to recent use only.

Limitations:

• Not suited for recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become apparent in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and unique hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often dubbed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Curtin, OR, hair follicle testing clearly outperforms traditional urine tests.
The longer detection window allows for a comprehensive assessment of substance use, spanning up to 90 days, versus just days with urine tests.

• More comprehensive detection.
• Superior reliability.
• Difficult to cheat.

This methodology provides an accurate picture of substance use habits, unrivaled by urine testing options.

Extended Detection Window

With its extensive 90-day detection period, hair follicle testing provides employers in Curtin, OR, with a thorough view of drug history.
This capability is crucial in identifying longstanding substance habits that other tests may miss.

• 90-day detection window.
• More comprehensive employee assessment.
• Effective in revealing ongoing use habits.

Employers gain crucial insights, promoting a safer workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of hair follicle testing in Curtin, OR, is unmatched, offering a tamper-resistant solution that guarantees accurate results.
This testing method resists tampering, ensuring the reliability of the results.

• Virtually tamper-proof.
• Reliable sample collection.
• Ensures unquestionable accuracy.

This trusted method secures confidence in testing outcomes for all entities involved.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With accessible testing centers, including local options in Curtin, OR, our services ensure effortless nationwide testing.
This accessibility alleviates barriers to obtaining tests, making the process smooth and efficient.

• Convenient Curtin-based locations.
• Nationwide reach.
• Hassle-free access to services.

This nationwide network guarantees quick and accessible testing, benefiting all stakeholders.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Curtin, OR, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, ensuring the privacy of all parties involved.
From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes participant confidentiality.

• Simplified testing process.
• Confidential handling of data.
• Clear and secure procedures.

The straightforward approach assures participants of a discreet and professional experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Curtin, OR, deliver excellent value across all company sizes.
This affordability empowers organizations to integrate testing seamlessly without worrying about costs.

• Cost-effective solutions.
• Quick results.
• Value for all business scales.

With this model, companies can access high-quality testing without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing stands out for its speed and accuracy, making it the preferred choice in Curtin, OR.
This method delivers fast results without compromising accuracy, ensuring substance use detection is precise and reliable.

• High accuracy in detection.
• Quick turnaround time.
• Reliable results every time.

For anyone seeking trustworthy testing solutions, this method offers peace of mind with its unmatched precision.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Curtin, OR, find compliance and reassurance using hair follicle testing.
With adherence to drug-free policies, companies reduce legal risks and reinforce workplace safety.

• Ensures compliance with legal standards.
• Reduced legal liabilities.
• Enhanced safety measures.

This method provides peace of mind, ensuring a consistent adherence to workplace policies.

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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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