Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Nehalem, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair holds a prolonged record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the structure of the emerging hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to about 90 days for alcohol and various drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and confirmation assays. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. Referring to head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair denotes all other types (excluding scalp), such as facial or underarm hair.

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab's system. This process includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and delivered, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary examination for substance abuse. Although Screening provides an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal settings. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample indicates presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at considerably lower concentrations than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to perform.

Every positive screening result undergoes Confirmation via methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positive results are cleansed prior to confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can assess drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug tests are difficult to falsify, which enhances result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It offers a timeline of drug consumption over time, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher expenses than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure actually analyzes the hair strand itself and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing, the former drastically outshines in terms of detection accuracy. Hair tests in Nehalem, OR, offer:

• Longer detection periods, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior.
• Less susceptibility to tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window unmatched by urine tests. In Nehalem, OR, employers can leverage hair tests to review substance use history over the past 90 days, providing a comprehensive picture of an applicant or employee's drug habits.

• Ensures thorough background checks on substance use.
• Identifies long-term drug habits effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing provides a tamper-resistant method for drug detection in Nehalem, OR. This method substantially lowers the chance of sample manipulation, delivering results that are trustworthy and authoritative.

• Difficult to alter or cheat.
• Assures integrity and reliability of data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nehalem, OR is well-served with convenient testing locations provided by our nationwide network.

• Quick and easy access to testing services.
• Streamlined processes for hassle-free testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Nehalem, OR, is remarkably simple and confidential. Efforts are made to ensure privacy.

• Anonymity is maintained throughout.
• Easy-to-follow steps from ordering to results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Nehalem, OR, benefit from affordable pricing and fast turnaround times with our hair follicle drug tests.

• Competitive rates for various budgets.
• Rapid processing ensures swift results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and speed in delivering results. With advanced technology, these tests offer high accuracy in detecting substance use.

• Quick processing time ensures fast results.
• Precision reduces errors and false positives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Nehalem, OR, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle drug testing. This method ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, mitigating legal problems and elevating safety.

• Reduces risk of policy violations.
• Supports a safer, drug-free environment.

Drug Testing Near Nehalem, OR

Tillamook, OR

Elsie, OR

Netarts, OR

Oceanside, OR

Cape Meares, OR

Idaville, OR

Cannon Beach, OR

Bay City, OR

Garibaldi, OR

Barview, OR

Arch Cape, OR

Rockaway Beach, OR

Neahkahnie, OR

Manzanita, OR

Bayside Gardens, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews