Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Oakridge, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month window for alcohol and drug detection. Hair is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be obtained. Note that head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. It involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for drug presence. While it is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples from Screening require secondary validation.

During the Screening stage, if a sample shows presumptive positivity, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and prepared for Extraction. This stage involves retrieving drugs from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging methodology.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is used to confirm any positive screening results. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation when necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, in contrast to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical data: It can indicate patterns of drug use over time, rather than solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly than alternative testing methods.
• Variability in results: Elements such as hair color and individual growth differences can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite the common reference as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair shaft, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Oakridge, OR, means superior detection and reliability. Hair tests offer a broad detection window, capturing substance use that might be missed by urine tests. This method is nearly impervious to manipulation, presenting accurate results that instill confidence in both employers and individuals.

Extended Detection Window

In Oakridge, OR, hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection window, extending up to 90 days. This offers employers a comprehensive view of an individual’s long-term substance history, enabling them to assess potential hires or current employees more effectively, ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests in Oakridge, OR, minimizes the risk of sample manipulation. This testing method ensures that the results are reliable and trustworthy, safeguarding against attempts to sway outcomes or compromise the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers, including locations in Oakridge, OR, provide accessible and convenient services. We ensure that clients can easily and swiftly access our comprehensive testing solutions, eliminating hassle and improving the customer experience across various locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Oakridge, OR, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize privacy, ensuring that both individuals and organizations experience a seamless and secure process, addressing any concerns about confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and fast turnaround are hallmarks of our services in Oakridge, OR. We deliver excellent value for various businesses, regardless of size, ensuring access to top-tier testing solutions while keeping costs achievable and turnaround times minimal.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Oakridge, OR, hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering fast and precise results. Their accuracy in detecting a wide array of substances ensures reliability for employers and organizations. The quick processing time helps clients make informed decisions swiftly, without compromising on the detail or credibility of the findings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Oakridge, OR employers can maintain compliance and peace of mind using hair follicle testing to enforce drug-free workplace policies. This approach not only mitigates potential legal risks but also fosters a safer and more productive 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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