Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Summit, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged history of substances by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When trimmed near the scalp, hair samples can reveal substance use for up to a 3-month period for both alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of about 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the recommended quantity for initial and confirmatory testing. For extended panels, such as EtG tests, 150mg is advised. A jeweler’s scale is suggested for precise measurement. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When referring to head hair, it indicates scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other types, like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results includes four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial phase where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes extra data entry if not already provided via an electronic chain of custody process.

Screening is the first, rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is economical for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples indicating positive outcomes in Screening need secondary verification.

If a sample shows positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this process, drugs are isolated from hair at concentrations lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting a challenge in hair drug analysis execution.

Any positive screening outcome is verified through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples that presumptively test positive undergo necessary washing. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair test is notably challenging, yielding more reliable results.
• Chronological data: It outlines a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to identify recent use: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair tests are generally more costly than other drug testing alternatives.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Summit, OR, hair follicle testing prevails over traditional urine tests by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection period uniquely provided by hair follicle tests captures a broader drug use history, making them invaluable for employers needing a comprehensive assessment. Their accuracy and robustness make hair follicle tests a preferred choice in various sectors.

Extended Detection Window

The significant advantage of hair follicle testing in Summit, OR is its extended detection window, which can reach up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a detailed view of an individual's substance use history far beyond what urine tests provide. Understanding this history is crucial for making informed decisions, particularly when evaluating potential employees or monitoring current ones.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Summit, OR minimize the risk of sample tampering, ensuring that results remain reliable and unquestionable. Unlike other testing methods, the inherent nature of hair sampling and testing makes it exceedingly difficult for individuals to adulterate samples, thereby upholding the integrity of the testing process and providing trustworthy data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing locations, including those in Summit, OR, provides convenient access to hair follicle testing services nationwide. Clients can experience quick and hassle-free testing by visiting any of the numerous centers. This accessibility ensures ease of use for individuals and businesses requiring comprehensive drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Summit, OR is both simple and confidential. Ordering, providing a sample, and receiving results are streamlined to ensure privacy and ease. Individuals can appreciate a straightforward process that respects their confidentiality while delivering accurate outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Summit, OR offers hair follicle testing with affordable pricing and fast turnaround. The competitive pricing structure, coupled with timely test result delivery, provides excellent value for businesses of all sizes. This ensures businesses receive optimal service without compromising on cost efficiency or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests in Summit, OR are known for their swift and precise outcomes. Accuracy is one of their hallmarks, capable of detecting substance use with great reliability. The tests offer a high level of precision in identifying drug use, ensuring trustworthiness in the results. Rapid result turnaround is another advantage, allowing timely decisions based on the outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Summit, OR gain significant benefits from hair follicle testing, particularly in terms of compliance and peace of mind. Adopting this testing method allows companies to align with drug-free workplace policies, minimize legal exposure, and enhance workplace safety. These advantages culminate in a safer and more compliant 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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