Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Richland, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encases a longer-term record of drug and alcohol use through embedding biomarkers within its strands. When collected near the scalp, it can reveal substance use for up to 90 days. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the recommended quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, a full 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh specimens using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair may be collected. The term "head hair" specifically indicates scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory protocols for processing drug test results involve four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This includes ensuring that the sample was securely sealed and appropriately shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical way to identify potential drug use in most samples, a positive indicator requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for Extraction. In this stage, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lesser concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is among the toughest methodologies to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screen is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes assessment both under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations identify substance use up to 90 days, while urine tests provide a narrower detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are quite resistant to tampering, leading to more reliable results.
• Yields historical intake data: It furnishes a timeline of substance use, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify very recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Costly: Hair drug tests are generally pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," these tests assess the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing surpass traditional urine tests in Richland, OR. Offering unmatched accuracy and reliability, hair tests provide detailed insights into substance use, unlike short-term urine tests.

While urine tests detect recent use, hair tests monitor prolonged patterns, making them more advantageous for employers seeking a comprehensive substance history analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing excels in Richland, OR, by offering a prolonged detection window of up to 90 days. This long duration provides employers with a thorough perspective on substance use patterns.

By capturing a broader spectrum of drug usage, hair tests empower organizations to assess an individual’s historic substance use effectively, providing a detailed overview unavailable with shorter detection methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Richland, OR, hair follicle tests stand out as a tamper-resistant method. Reducing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests deliver results that are both reliable and unquestionable.

Employers can assure the authenticity of drug test results, minimizing the chance of manipulation and providing a trustworthy assessment of substance use through hair testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Richland, OR, convenience is key when it comes to our nationwide and local testing centers. With easy and hassle-free access, testing services are quick to reach.

Our extensive network ensures swift availability, making it simple for individuals and businesses to utilize our comprehensive testing solutions swiftly and efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Richland, OR benefits from a straightforward and private testing process. Ordering, completing the test, and obtaining results are designed for ease of use and confidentiality.

Our process addresses privacy concerns by ensuring that each step is handled with care, facilitating a seamless testing experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Richland, OR offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, making hair follicle testing a cost-effective option for businesses of any size.

Through our affordable structures and prompt results, companies benefit from both value and assurance, enabling informed decision-making with budget-conscious solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Richland, OR, the precision and swiftness of hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Their capability to accurately detect substance usage makes them a preferred choice for fast and reliable results.

Capable of delivering results quickly, hair follicle tests ensure that findings are both precise and reflective of the subject's history, setting a high standard for accuracy in detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Richland, OR ensures workplace compliance with drug-free policies, enhancing safety while minimizing legal ramifications.

For employers seeking peace of mind, hair testing offers a dependable measure to uphold safety and discipline, adhering to industry standards with confidence in the testing process.

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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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