Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eastside, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. They offer an extended history of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window spanning up to roughly three months for alcohol and drug use. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair pertains to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial stage of integrating a sample into a lab's system. This step involves confirming that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective approach for excluding drug use in the majority of samples, any positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

The confirmation of any positive screening outcome is accomplished via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive are washed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed in line with both the 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 reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a more limited detection timeframe.
• High resistance to manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, ensuring more reliable results.
• Delivers historical insight: It presents a timeline of drug use behavior over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Variable results: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests", the testing process actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Eastside, OR

In Eastside, OR, hair testing offers a significant advantage over traditional urine tests due to its superior detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests provide a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's history, making it a preferred choice for employers seeking thorough assessments, unlike urine testing which covers a shorter detection window.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Eastside, OR

Hair follicle testing in Eastside, OR, excels with its capability to detect drug use up to 90 days prior. This extended detection window offers employers valuable insights into the substance history of employees or candidates, enabling comprehensive assessments and informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Eastside, OR

The risk of sample tampering in Eastside, OR, is significantly reduced with hair follicle testing. This method provides reliable, tamper-resistant results, reinforcing its credibility as a trusted screening tool that ensures accuracy and trustworthiness in test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Eastside, OR

Accredited Drug Testing boasts nationwide and local centers in Eastside, OR, offering an unparalleled level of convenience. With our widespread testing centers, accessing testing services is hassle-free, ensuring quick and easy solutions for every drug testing need.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Eastside, OR

In Eastside, OR, our testing process is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns while streamlining the experience. From ordering to receiving results, Accredited Drug Testing prioritizes ease of use and security, ensuring a smooth and trusted process for all clients.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Eastside, OR

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures in Eastside, OR, complemented by fast turnaround times. Companies of all sizes benefit from our value-laden services, gaining peace of mind with cost-effectiveness and efficiency in drug testing results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Eastside, OR

The precision and promptness of hair follicle drug testing in Eastside, OR, set it apart. With heightened accuracy, these tests swiftly detect substance use, providing results that are both dependable and efficient. By utilizing advanced methodologies, Accredited Drug Testing ensures timely insights for critical decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Eastside, OR

For employers in Eastside, OR, hair follicle testing provides assurance in maintaining a drug-free workplace, aiding compliance with policies and reducing legal risks. By enhancing workplace safety, it bestows peace of mind, reducing liability while fostering a secure environment.

Drug Testing Near Eastside, OR

Dora, OR

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Charleston, OR

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Hauser, OR

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Coos Bay, OR

Glasgow, OR

Bunker Hill, OR

Allegany, 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.

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