Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Southwest Jackson, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method to reveal drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other drugs by trapping biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can disclose a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extensions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Employ a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample accurately. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be collected. When discussing head hair, it refers solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening includes a preliminary check for illicit substances. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening demand subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample register presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are drawn from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, yielding more trustworthy results.
• Offers historical insight: They provide a pattern of drug usage over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth disparities can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Southwest Jackson, OR

• Hair testing offers a superior detection period over urine tests, capturing a longer history of substance use. Its reliability and accuracy make it a better choice for detecting drug use. Unlike urine tests, which only detect recent usage, hair tests provide a broad view of an individual's substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Southwest Jackson, OR

• Hair follicle testing provides an extensive detection timeframe, up to 90 days, unlike other testing methods. This wide window offers employers a detailed insight into an individual's drug use history, aiding in more informed hiring or monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Southwest Jackson, OR

• The hair follicle test is highly resistant to being tampered with, ensuring authenticity and reliability. This method decreases the risk of sample adulteration significantly, offering unquestionable results that employers can trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Southwest Jackson, OR

• With numerous testing centers across the nation including Southwest Jackson, OR, accessing testing services is easy and hassle-free. These convenient locations ensure quick and straightforward access, catering to all testing needs efficiently.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Southwest Jackson, OR

• The hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, each step is crafted with privacy and ease in mind, addressing any concerns individuals might have regarding privacy and usability.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Southwest Jackson, OR

• We offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, providing great value for businesses of all sizes. Our efficient processes ensure that clients receive accurate results quickly without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Southwest Jackson, OR

• Hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering precise and rapid results. The high accuracy in detecting substance use makes them a preferred choice. These tests not only provide a comprehensive overview of drug use but also ensure timely results, crucial for decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Southwest Jackson, OR

• Utilizing hair follicle testing supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal risks and enhances safety, providing employers confidence and assurance in maintaining a compliant work environment.

Drug Testing Near Southwest Jackson, OR

Sams Valley, OR

White City, OR

Foots Creek, OR

Gold Hill, OR

Williams, OR

Ashland, OR

Central Point, OR

Applegate, OR

Medford, OR

Talent, OR

Phoenix, OR

Jacksonville, OR

Ruch, 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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