Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dayton, OR

What it is, How it works

An increasingly popular method for detecting substance usage is hair testing. This technique captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of developing hair strands. When hair is collected close to the scalp, it can offer a drug and alcohol detection period of up to roughly three months. Hair sampling is straightforward to perform, less prone to tampering, and convenient for transport.

Acquiring a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample of the specimen is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. The term "head hair" is specifically referencing scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves incorporating the sample into the laboratory's systems for initial processing. This stage checks that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary data entry that isn't automatically handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary quick assessment for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective, positive screen results must undergo further confirmation before they are considered legally valid. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for the Extraction stage. This stage involves extracting drugs from the hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods, such as urine or oral fluid, making hair drug screening particularly challenging to conduct.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used to confirm any positive screening outcomes. All samples that test presumptive positive undergo washing before confirmation, as required. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, is subject to review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, significantly longer than the shorter window provided by urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: The reliability of hair drug tests is higher due to their resistance to manipulation.
• Chronological data: This test can illustrate a timeline of substance use, beyond just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent activity: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days of use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Dayton, OR, hair follicle testing proves superior to traditional urine tests due to higher accuracy and reliability. Hair tests offer a longer detection window and are virtually tamper-proof, making them ideal for stringent drug policies.

The enhanced accuracy of hair testing ensures that any signs of substance use are detected, offering peace of mind to employers and reducing the likelihood of false negatives or positives.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle tests in Dayton, OR can detect drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This extended detection period provides employers with a detailed view of an individual's past substance use, supporting informed decision-making.

The capability to assess substance use history over several months enhances trust in the screening process and offers a thorough assessment tool for workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle testing in Dayton, OR greatly reduces the potential for sample tampering. Its methodology ensures that results are reliable and verifiable, providing clear evidence of substance use, if any.

This resistance to adulteration guarantees that the outcomes are legitimate, supporting employers in maintaining a drug-free environment and upholding workplace standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing
Our extensive network of testing centers provides easy access for individuals in Dayton, OR, making the testing process both quick and hassle-free.

The availability of numerous locations ensures that you receive timely service, reinforcing our commitment to convenience and efficiency in drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In Dayton, OR, our hair follicle testing process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring a seamless experience from order to results.

We prioritize privacy and ease of use, ensuring you access your testing needs securely and promptly, alleviating any concerns regarding confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Our competitive pricing structures in Dayton, OR make hair follicle testing economical for companies of all sizes, without compromising on quality.

With quick turnaround times, we provide excellent value, reducing downtime and helping employers maintain operational continuity efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Precision and Speed
In Dayton, OR, hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and swift results. They offer high accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring that employers and organizations can trust the findings.

These tests provide reliable data with minimal waiting time, making them a preferred choice for quick and accurate substance detection. Their dependable results help maintain the integrity of workplace policies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind
Employers in Dayton, OR benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. These tests help reduce legal liabilities and enhance workplace safety.

By implementing such testing methods, companies can enjoy peace of mind, knowing they are compliant with industry standards and safeguarding their work environments effectively.

Drug Testing Near Dayton, OR

Gervais, OR

Donald, OR

Yamhill, OR

Mission, OR

Amity, OR

Newberg, OR

Whiteson, OR

Carlton, OR

McMinnville, OR

Dundee, OR

St. Paul, OR

Lafayette, 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