Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fort Klamath, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug consumption by retaining biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When collected from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeline of up to about three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil), is sufficient to yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample weight. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used instead. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties of hair (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results is divided into four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step involves confirming the sample's seal and proper shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary rapid evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient strategy for eliminating drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified for court admissibility. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening do require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears tentatively positive during Screening, additional hair is obtained from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations lower than those in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentatively positive samples are washed as necessary before confirmation. The overall laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is very challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers temporal data: It can exhibit a drug usage trend over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the test actually examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Fort Klamath, OR

Compared to conventional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities and reliability. The hair test's extended detection period helps provide an accurate substance history, whereas urine tests may not always detect all recent drug use, making it an ideal option for ensuring workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Fort Klamath, OR

The 90-day detection window of hair follicle testing offers a comprehensive assessment of an individual's past substance use. This extended timeframe aids employers and authorities in evaluating an individual's history more effectively than in a standard urine test, providing significant benefits in background checks and regular screenings.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Fort Klamath, OR

Hair follicle testing minimizes the potential for sample adulteration, ensuring integrity and reliability of results. This testing method provides confidence in drug testing processes in Fort Klamath, as results are unquestionable, greatly reducing risks associated with tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Fort Klamath, OR

With a widespread network of nationwide testing centers, including local facilities in Fort Klamath, accessing services is quick and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing ensures convenient options for efficient and comprehensive testing, meeting the needs of businesses and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Fort Klamath, OR

The hair follicle testing procedure is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy from order to result delivery. In Fort Klamath, clients experience a seamless process, addressing privacy concerns while delivering way accurate results, a significant advantage over other testing methods.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Fort Klamath, OR

Accredited Drug Testing provides competitive pricing and quick turnaround times. Our efficient processes result in excellent value for businesses of all sizes, enhancing operational productivity and employee compliance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Fort Klamath, OR

Hair follicle drug tests provide highly accurate and rapid results. This method accurately detects substance use, ensuring dependable outcomes for stringent drug policies. In Fort Klamath, businesses appreciate the precision and efficiency of hair testing, making it a preferred choice over traditional methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Fort Klamath, OR

Utilizing hair follicle tests helps maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This process not only enhances workplace safety but also reduces legal risks for companies. In Fort Klamath, businesses gain peace of mind knowing they are upholding high standards of employee conduct and health standards.

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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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