Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lacomb, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair provides a detection span of up to about 90 days for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch hair segment with roughly 200 strands (similar in size to a number 2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is preferred. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair imply scalp hair only, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for analyzing a drug test result comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial phase of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s framework. It involves checking the sample’s seal and shipping integrity, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Although it offers a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Any presumptively positive samples in Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of a positive result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with potential positive results are cleansed prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can detect drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is highly difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Shows historical usage: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations typically cost more than alternate drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: The test is often called a "hair follicle test," but it examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing hair follicle tests to traditional urine tests in Lacomb, OR reveals distinct advantages. Hair testing offers greater detection accuracy over extended periods.

• Superior reliability
• Difficult to manipulate samples

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing is invaluable in Lacomb, OR for its extended detection capabilities. Whereas urine tests provide a short-term view, hair tests extend up to 90 days back, offering a comprehensive profile of substance use. Employers benefit from the broad detection window, enhancing their decision-making with historical data. A longer window means a more accurate assessment of drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lacomb, OR, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing ensures reliability. Unlike urine samples, hair tests greatly mitigate adulteration risks.

• Minimized manipulation
• Unquestionable results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers in Lacomb, OR provides unparalleled convenience. With nationwide and local accessibility, clients enjoy quick and easy services.

• No hassle testing
• Convenient locations

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Lacomb, OR is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, every step is designed with privacy in mind.

• Simple test procedure
• Confidential results handling

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Lacomb, OR, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing and swift turnaround times. Businesses gain value from affordable options without compromising on quality. Fast results ensure quick decision-making, providing a compelling blend of economy and efficiency for companies of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lacomb, OR, hair follicle drug tests deliver quick, accurate, and reliable results. These tests excel in substance detection precision, providing trustworthy insights into drug use. The high accuracy of hair testing stands out, ensuring dependable outcomes.

• Speedy results delivery
• Unmatched detection accuracy

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Lacomb, OR employers, hair follicle testing aids in maintaining drug-free policies effectively. It reduces the legal liabilities associated with drug use in the workplace. Compliance is streamlined through reliable test results, offering peace of mind and contributing to a safer work 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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