Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lafayette, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an influential method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures and retains biomarkers of these substances within its fibers, offering a historical timeline of use. When taken near the scalp, hair samples can indicate drug or alcohol presence over a span of up to 90 days. Collection of hair samples is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and comprising roughly 200 strands near the scalp will weigh approximately 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, or procedures exceeding 10 panels, a sample size of 150mg is advisable. It's beneficial to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, equivalent body hair can be used. References to head hair pertain specifically to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

Processing a drug test result in the lab consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where the sample is incorporated into the lab's system, which involves verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional manual data entry not captured electronically.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid assessment for the presence of drugs. Though economical for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires further confirmation for legal acceptability. Any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted for the Extraction stage. Here, substances are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid tests), making hair drug screening the most complex process to execute.

Confirmation of positive screening results employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before final confirmation if needed. The full lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the guidelines of CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing include:

• Extensive detection timeframe: Capable of discerning drug use for a period up to three months, significantly longer than urine tests.
• Resistance to manipulation: Its resistance to tampering enhances the reliability of test outcomes.
• Tracks usage history: This test can reveal drug usage patterns over time, rather than only recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to identify recent use: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing incurs higher costs compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair pigmentation and individual growth rates may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests," the assessment is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lafayette, OR
Hair follicle testing offers increased detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. With an extended detection window, it identifies substances longer, reducing the likelihood of missed usage. Employers and officials appreciate this reliability. Thus, hair tests prove essential where precision is paramount.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lafayette, OR
Hair follicle tests reveal drug use across up to 90 days. This extensive period provides a detailed history of an individual's substance engagement. For employers, this serves as a critical tool in evaluating long-term drug habits and making informed personnel decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lafayette, OR
By minimizing the chance of sample adulteration, hair follicle tests offer an authoritative method for substance testing. Their structure makes tampering nearly impossible, delivering results that remain unchanged and trustworthy, crucial for compliance and trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lafayette, OR

• Extensive network spans across numerous cities.
• Access testing services from virtually anywhere, including local centers in Lafayette.
• Experience seamless, convenient, and efficient testing processes for all needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lafayette, OR
Our straightforward and private procedures ensure client comfort. From ordering to receiving results, each step prioritizes users' privacy and ease, offering assurance every step of the way. Enjoy a stress-free experience designed for your peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lafayette, OR
Competitive pricing structures coupled with speedy results define our services. This approach offers exceptional value, catering to businesses of varied sizes, providing efficiency without sacrificing cost-effectiveness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lafayette, OR
Hair follicle drug tests stand out in both swiftness and precision. They ensure reliable detection of substance use, superior to other methods. Quicker outcomes mean better decisions in less time, benefiting all stakeholders in the process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lafayette, OR

• Employers harness hair follicle testing to assure adherence to drug-free policies.
• This approach mitigates legal complications and bolsters workplace safety.
• Achieve a harmonious working environment, void of substance-related concerns.

Drug Testing Near Lafayette, OR

Mission, OR

Amity, OR

Yamhill, OR

Newberg, OR

Whiteson, OR

St. Paul, OR

Dundee, OR

McMinnville, OR

Carlton, OR

Dayton, 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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