Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hampton, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is considered a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug utilization by embedding biomarkers within the strands' growing fibers. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can provide an indicative timeframe of up to about three months for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient for mailing.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100 mg, which is the preferred amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150 mg of the specimen is advised. It's recommended to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. Head hair refers to scalp hair specifically, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug testing result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step in integrating a sample into a lab’s system. This step ensures that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and gathers any extra data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for drug substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples that are assumed positive in Screening require a further confirmation step.

If a sample is assumed positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial collection for Extraction. During this process, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All assumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under 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 detect substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to cheat: Tampering with a hair drug test is very challenging, hence the results are more reliable.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Variabilities such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the presence of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Is Superior to Urine Tests in Hampton, OR

Hair follicle testing outmatches traditional urine tests in detection and reliability. It uncovers a broader spectrum of substances and isn't limited to recent drug use, unlike urine tests, which only detect substances within days. The prolonged detection period ensures that more comprehensive results are achieved.

• Extended detection up to 90 days
• Higher accuracy and reliability
• Harder to tamper with results

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hampton, OR

Hair follicle testing empowers employers with a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use history over an impressive duration of up to 90 days. This extended window goes beyond the standard limitations found in other testing methods, providing a 360-degree perspective on a person's substance use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Hampton, OR

The hair follicle test stands out due to its robust resistance to tampering. This method minimizes any risk of adulteration, guaranteeing results that are both reliable and unquestionable. With these tests, the integrity of the sample remains intact, offering peace of mind to employers and stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide and Local Testing Locations in Hampton, OR

With testing centers spread across all major cities, including Hampton, OR, accessing drug testing services is incredibly convenient. Our widespread network ensures that individuals and businesses can easily find a nearby location, simplifying the testing process significantly. The hassle-free experience is unmatched.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hampton, OR

Our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively. From ordering to receiving results, every step is streamlined, ensuring ease and safeguarding privacy. The comprehensive yet discreet approach guarantees client confidence.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hampton, OR

Our competitive pricing and swift turnaround times set us apart from the competition. Regardless of company size, our hair follicle testing services offer unparalleled value and relief. Businesses can count on our quick and cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Hampton, OR, are known for delivering fast and precise results. They offer unparalleled accuracy when it comes to detecting substances. The method ensures rapid identification, making it ideal for those who require dependable outcomes in a short timeframe. With rapid processing times, this testing approach is unparalleled in its efficiency.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hampton, OR

Leveraging hair follicle testing ensures that businesses adhere to drug-free workplace policies. It offers legal protection and enhances workplace safety, providing employers with peace of mind. This testing strategy deters any potential policy violations, aligning with compliance demands seamlessly.

Drug Testing Near Hampton, OR

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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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