Hair Follicle Drug Testing - North Umpqua, OR

What it is, How it works

Using hair for detection of drug and alcohol use is now recognized as an effective tool. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand, offering a long-term history of substance use. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, tough to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, making it the optimal sample for testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels over 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advised to weigh the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug tests includes four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage, where a sample is introduced into the laboratory’s system, ensuring it was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid test for substance abuse. It's a budget-friendly method to exclude drug usage in most samples; however, a positive screen demands confirmation for courtroom acceptance. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require further verification.

Should a sample test presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging technique.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo a washing process before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests with a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Historical insights: It offers a drug usage pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Can't detect recent use: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result fluctuations: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand, not the hair follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In North Umpqua, OR, hair follicle drug testing is emerging as a preferred method over urine tests. These tests provide superior accuracy and reliability, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug history. Unlike urine tests, hair samples can reveal drug use over extended periods.

Essentially, hair testing transcends traditional methods, highlighting a significant improvement in overall drug detection capabilities and offering a robust alternative for employers committed to maintaining drug-free workplaces.

Extended Detection Window

In North Umpqua, OR, the extended detection window of hair follicle tests makes them a strategic choice for employers and institutions. Capable of tracking drug use for up to 90 days, these tests provide a detailed overview of substance consumption patterns.

Employers gain invaluable insights, allowing them to gauge an applicant's or employee's long-term drug behavior. This comprehensive view aids in making informed decisions, ensuring a reliable workforce and a safe working environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Located in North Umpqua, OR, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing sets a high standard in drug detection. By significantly reducing the likelihood of sample adulteration, these tests deliver unquestionable results, crucial for maintaining integrity in substance testing processes.

This method supports a transparent drug testing process by offering a secure way to gauge substance use, making it a preferred choice among employers dedicated to authenticity and compliance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Offering convenience in North Umpqua, OR, our widespread testing centers facilitate easy and quick access to drug testing services. With nationwide coverage, Accredited Drug Testing ensures a hassle-free experience for anyone needing testing services.

This extensive network of locations eliminates logistical concerns, ensuring that clients receive efficient and seamless services, particularly valuable for organizations requiring regular and reliable testing.

Simple, Confidential Process

In North Umpqua, OR, the process of hair follicle testing is marked by simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to testing to receiving results, every step is designed to prioritize user privacy and ease of use.

This straightforward approach addresses common concerns, making the entire experience stress-free. By emphasizing discreetness and efficiency, hair testing ensures client trust while maintaining high standards of confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in North Umpqua, OR provides excellent value to organizations of all sizes. Accredited Drug Testing prides itself on competitive cost structures that ensure accessibility to high-quality testing services.

With a focus on delivering prompt and reliable results, companies gain the assurance of maintaining compliance without excessive costs, granting an optimal balance of value and dependability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing stands out in North Umpqua, OR for its quick and reliable outcomes. Speed and precision are trademarks of this method, delivering results that employers and institutions can trust. Offering top-tier accuracy in revealing substance use, these tests serve as a fundamental tool in ensuring workplace safety and compliance.

Overall, hair tests are unparalleled in their capability to swiftly identify drug use patterns. The efficient turnaround coupled with high efficiency in drug detection makes them an invaluable resource for organizations prioritizing clean working environments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in North Umpqua, OR grants employers compliance and peace of mind. By adopting this method, businesses ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thereby minimizing legal risks and enhancing overall safety.

In essence, this testing protocol offers substantial assurances to companies, reinforcing their commitment to a diligent and safe working environment, critical for sustainable organizational growth and reputation management.

Drug Testing Near North Umpqua, OR

Sutherlin, OR

Dorena, OR

Oakland, OR

Diamond Lake, OR

Milo, OR

Union Creek, OR

Calapooia, OR

South Umpqua, OR

Culp Creek, OR

Disston, OR

Tiller, OR

Fair Oaks, OR

Glide, OR

Idleyld Park, 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