Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oak Grove, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has increasingly been recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a comprehensive record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month period of drug and alcohol use. It is easy to collect, relatively secure from tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing around 200 hairs (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for testing and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, or testing beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial and underarm hair).

Process Overview

The drug testing procedure at a lab is typically divided into four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial integration of a sample into the lab’s system, ensuring it was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data input absent from an electronic chain of custody record.

Screening executes an initial rapid analysis for substance misuse. Though this is a cost-effective strategy to exclude substance use in most cases, a positive result must be affirmed for legal validation. Any samples indicating a preliminary positive in Screening require additional verification.

Samples marking positive in the Screening stage lead to more hair being extracted from the initial specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are removed from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most intricate to conduct.

For any positive screening result, Confirmation is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples marked as presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the whole laboratory process is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, while urine tests have a more limited timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: It is challenging to falsify a hair drug test, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Provides historical data: A pattern of substance use over time can be established, unlike only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Cost: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to alternative drug testing approaches.
• Variations in results: Aspects like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests", such tests actually examine the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Oak Grove, OR, demonstrates superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests. Urinary tests are limited to short-term detection, while hair assessments reveal substance use over months. This method benefits employers implementing strict anti-drug policies by providing a comprehensive substance overview, better reflecting an individual's drug history, thus improving hiring decisions and employee assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Oak Grove, OR, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, far surpassing urine tests. This longer timeframe enables employers to gain a thorough understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, illuminating patterns of regular or sporadic drug use. Such comprehensive data is crucial in ensuring hiring decisions align with company values and policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Oak Grove, OR, significantly minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. Unlike other testing methods, hair samples are collected in a monitored environment, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the sample. Businesses can rely on the trustworthy results generated, which are nearly impossible to manipulate, providing peace of mind and ensuring compliance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Oak Grove, OR, offers convenient testing locations, with Accredited Drug Testing centers spread across the nation. Whether local or nationwide, our centers ensure easy and hassle-free access to testing services. The widespread availability facilitates quick and decisive assessments for companies, streamlining logistics and reducing wait times significantly. Businesses and individuals alike can enjoy simplicity and convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The simple and confidential process of hair follicle testing in Oak Grove, OR, emphasizes ease of use and privacy. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results are streamlined, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring user-friendly experiences. This system builds trust in the testing process, offering assured confidentiality at every step, reinforcing user faith in Accredited Drug Testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Oak Grove, OR, emphasizes affordable pricing and fast turnaround times for hair follicle drug tests. Companies, regardless of size, benefit from competitive rates without compromising result quality or speed. This reliable service provides excellent value, maintaining peace of mind while budgets remain intact, offering cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Oak Grove, OR, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method pinpoints substance use with high precision, offering a clearer and quicker assessment than traditional tests. Employers appreciate the trustworthy detection capabilities hair testing provides, which are essential for maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace.
The speed at which results are obtained enhances decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Oak Grove, OR, can achieve compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method not only helps in adhering to workplace drug-free policies but also reduces legal risks. By ensuring drug-free environments, companies enhance safety and operational efficiency, creating a culture of trust and responsibility that benefits all employees.

• Robust detection methods
• Legal Security
• Enhanced workplace safety

Drug Testing Near Oak Grove, OR

Durham, OR

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Sunnyside, OR

Clackamas, OR

Gladstone, OR

Johnson City, OR

Jennings Lodge, OR

Riverside, OR

Milwaukie, OR

Oatfield, OR

Northwest Clackamas, OR

Lake Oswego, 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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