Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Elsie, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. The structure of hair captures biomarkers within the strands, offering a comprehensive timeline of substance use over the long term. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal a usage history of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. It's straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, with around 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp, furnishes 100mg of hair, ideal for both screening and confirmation procedures. For EtG, additional tests, or testing beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for this measurement. Should scalp hair not be available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair pertains to all other varieties (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

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

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the lab’s system. This step includes checking that the sample is properly sealed and delivered, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial swift check for substance abuse. Although screening is cost-effective to dismiss drug usage in most cases, any positive result must be confirmed to be legally valid. Samples that test positive in Screening necessitate an additional verification process.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. At this stage, substances are removed from the hair at a significantly lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is particularly complex.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The full process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing include:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug consumption up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Hard to compromise: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: This test can outline drug usage patterns over time, not merely recent use.

Drawbacks:

• No detection of recent consumption: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Despite commonly being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Elsie, OR, is unparalleled when compared to traditional urine testing. The benefits of hair testing include superior detection accuracy and reliability, making it the preferred choice for employers seeking thorough drug use profiles. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides detailed insights.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle drug test in Elsie, OR, offers an extended detection window going up to 90 days. This feature provides employers with an exhaustive overview of an individual's substance history, far exceeding the capabilities of other testing methods. It's a valuable tool for gaining comprehensive insights into drug use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Elsie, OR, residents can rely on hair follicle tests to deliver tamper-resistant results. The method diminishes the possibility of sample adulteration, thus ensuring dependable outcomes. When certainty in drug testing is required, hair testing is a solution that stands out for its verifiability and integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is at your fingertips with our nationwide and local testing centers in Elsie, OR. Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network ensures you can find quick, simple, and hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services, making it easy for everyone involved to get the tests done efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Elsie, OR, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. The ordering, testing, and results delivery are seamless, addressing any privacy concerns with assured discretion and ease. This enhances user confidence in the process while maintaining privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Get competitive pricing and swift turnaround with hair follicle testing in Elsie, OR. Our service provides excellent value, catering to companies of different sizes with its cost-effective approach, ensuring that drug testing is accessible and reliable without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Discover rapid and accurate hair follicle drug testing in Elsie, OR. This method boasts unparalleled accuracy in detecting substance use, providing prompt and precise results. Our tests are designed to ensure reliability, making it an excellent choice for those in need of trustworthy drug screening solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Elsie, OR, compliance and peace of mind are achievable with hair follicle testing. This method supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies, minimizing legal risks while also enhancing the overall safety and integrity of the work environment, providing reassurance for businesses.

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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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