Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Depoe Bay, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have become recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol usage. Hair holds a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled close to the scalp, it can provide detection for alcohol and drugs for up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to deliver.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches, roughly comprising 200 strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. It’s advisable to use a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, equivalent body hair can be used. By head hair, we refer strictly to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This phase verifies that the sample was securely sealed and accurately shipped, allocates a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any additional data input absent in electronic chain of custody systems.

Screening constitutes an initial drug abuse check. Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use in most samples, though a positive result requires verification for legal use. Samples that result in a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, extra hair from the original sample is gathered for Extraction. Here, drugs are pulled from hair at a lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug testing the trickiest method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All preliminarily positive samples are cleansed before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use history extending up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficult to falsify: Cheating on a hair test is extremely challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It presents a pattern of substance usage over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests tend to be costlier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the levels of drug metabolites found in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle drug testing in Depoe Bay, OR offers significant advantages over traditional urine tests.
The ability to accurately detect drugs over an extended period provides a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history. Where urine tests can easily be manipulated, hair testing remains a trusted and infallible option. This makes it an ideal choice for employers seeking reliable substance screening solutions.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Depoe Bay, OR benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window, which captures drug use for up to 90 days. This broad timeframe provides a detailed understanding of an individual's substance habits. Hair testing surpasses other methods by offering a detailed view of long-term drug use, essential for gauging the potential risks and ensuring workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Depoe Bay, OR greatly minimizes the chances of tampering or sample alteration. This testing method is less susceptible to common cheating tactics that can affect urine tests. The collection process is observable and secure, ensuring the sample's integrity from collection to analysis. Such reliability in results provides confidence and assurance to those relying on these tests.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations available nationwide, including in Depoe Bay, OR, access to accredited hair follicle testing is simple and straightforward. Our national network ensures that businesses and individuals can easily find a nearby testing center, simplifying the process and reducing inconvenience. The accessibility of these locations underscores our commitment to customer ease and service.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results in Depoe Bay, OR is straightforward and ensures confidentiality. From scheduling a test to obtaining results, each step is designed to protect client information and offer a hassle-free experience. Clients can trust in the simplicity and privacy of our procedures, making the testing process efficient and stress-free.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and swift turnaround times in Depoe Bay, OR. Our cost-effective testing solutions provide affordability without compromising quality. Quick result delivery enhances decision-making processes for companies, ensuring they receive the best value for their investment while maintaining high standards of testing reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

When it comes to delivering fast and accurate drug testing results, hair follicle tests in Depoe Bay, OR stand out. These tests excel in precision, detecting a variety of substances effectively. Their accuracy ensures a reliable assessment of drug use, making them superior for those needing timely results.
Furthermore, the efficient processing of hair samples guarantees that clients receive their test outcomes promptly, offering peace of mind and assurance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Depoe Bay, OR, integrating hair follicle testing into workplace policies reinforces compliance with drug-free regulations. Utilizing this testing method reduces legal exposures and promotes a secure work environment. The clarity and accuracy of results ensure peace of mind, maintaining a safe and productive atmosphere for all employees.

Drug Testing Near Depoe Bay, OR

Seal Rock, OR

Neskowin, OR

Beaver Creek, OR

Eddyville, OR

Rose Lodge, OR

Otis, OR

Newport, OR

Toledo, OR

Lincoln Beach, OR

Logsden, OR

De Lake, OR

South Beach, OR

Lincoln City, OR

Agate Beach, OR

Siletz, 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