Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eagle Valley, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective instrument for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. Collected near the scalp, hair can furnish roughly a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) next to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests beyond 10 panels, it is suggested to use 150mg of the specimen. We advise weighing the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning concerns the initial sample logging into a lab’s system, which includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any extra data entry not provided by an electronic custody chain system.

Screening serves as a rapid primary check for substance misuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any sample preliminarily positive in Screening requires secondary verification.

If a sample tests preliminarily positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the starting specimen for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are pulled from hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other techniques (ex. urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most challenging technique to carry out.

Verification of any positive Screening result is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumption-positive samples are cleansed before confirmation, if needed. The entire lab path from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug exams can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Circumventing a hair drug test is quite difficult, ensuring result precision.
• Delivers historical insight: The test reveals a pattern of substance use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Roughly 5-7 days are needed for substances to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur a higher cost than alternative testing methods.
• Result variance: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Despite the term "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eagle Valley, OR
While traditional urine tests are common, hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy and reliability. This method ensures a broader detection window, capturing a comprehensive picture of substance use history compared to urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eagle Valley, OR
One major advantage of the hair follicle test is its ability to trace drug use over a 90-day period. This provides employers with an in-depth understanding of an individual's substance history, far surpassing the limited scope of urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eagle Valley, OR
Hair follicle tests significantly lower the risk of sample tampering. The method's design ensures the results are both reliable and beyond dispute, offering unmatched integrity compared to other testing options.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eagle Valley, OR
Our widespread network of testing centers ensures easy access to drug testing services, making the process straightforward and convenient whether in Eagle Valley or elsewhere.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eagle Valley, OR
The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use for every individual involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eagle Valley, OR
We offer competitive pricing and swift result processing, providing exceptional value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes. Clients benefit from our efficient service without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eagle Valley, OR
The hair follicle drug test is renowned for its precision and rapid results. Unlike other methods, it provides high accuracy and swift identification of substance use, making it a top choice for those seeking reliable testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eagle Valley, OR
Incorporating hair follicle testing helps employers adhere to drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks. This method enhances workplace safety and ensures peace of mind for businesses committed to maintaining a safe environment.

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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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