Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Toledo, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has become recognized as a robust mechanism for the identification of drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged timeline of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the emerging hair strand. When harvested close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a roughly 3-month observation period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (roughly the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We propose weighing the specimen utilizing a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. When discussing head hair, we are referring specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps involved in the laboratory evaluation of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial handling of a sample into a lab's system. This includes confirming that the sample was secured and shipped correctly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial expedient review for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective strategy to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to be permissible in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a more confined detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: It is extremely challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thereby enhancing accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It has the ability to showcase a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to catch recent usage: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself scrutinizes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Toledo, OR, outshines urine testing by offering superior detection accuracy and reliability. The less invasive procedure effectively identifies drug use, even months after intake, surpassing the limited detection window of urine tests.

In comparison to urine tests, hair testing in Toledo, OR, provides a more reliable drug detection method. This approach enables employers to uphold stricter substance policies with increased accuracy and assurance.

Extended Detection Window

In Toledo, OR, hair follicle drug testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This duration surpasses that of urine tests, allowing employers to examine substance use across a comprehensive time frame.

Employers in Toledo, OR, benefit from hair testing’s ability to trace drug use longer than traditional methods. This comprehensive overlook aids in monitoring ongoing substance use, crucial for maintaining a safe workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Toledo, OR, is a tamper-resistant method, curbing risks of sample adulteration. This integrity ensures results are reliable and leave no room for questioning their validity.

Employers in Toledo, OR, find confidence in hair testing's resistance to tampering. The secure nature of these tests provides trusted and unquestionable findings, reinforcing workplace policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to hair follicle testing in Toledo, OR, through numerous nationwide centers. This capability ensures a quick, straightforward, and hassle-free testing experience.

In Toledo, OR, easy access to multiple testing facilities ensures efficient service, allowing clients to undergo testing without difficulty or delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our testing process in Toledo, OR, remains simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. Clients can rely on a hassle-free experience, ensuring privacy and ease of use, addressing all concerns comprehensively.

Clients in Toledo, OR, are assured of a confidential and straightforward process, safeguarding their privacy and ensuring ease of navigation through every step.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Toledo, OR, businesses experience competitive pricing and rapid turnaround with our hair follicle tests. This affordability, coupled with fast results, ensures outstanding value and peace of mind for companies of all sizes.

In Toledo, OR, cost-efficient pricing and swift processing define our hair testing service. This dedication to value and speed benefits enterprises seeking reliable and economical drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Toledo, OR, hair follicle tests provide rapid, precise, and dependable results. These tests boast high accuracy in identifying substance use, unlike traditional methods. Their efficiency and swiftness in delivering results help employers make informed decisions quickly.

Employers in Toledo, OR, rely on hair testing for its speed and precision. The method guarantees accurate detection, ensuring that organizations maintain a safe and drug-free environment with minimal delay in receiving results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By using hair follicle tests in Toledo, OR, employers assure compliance with drug-free policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal risks. The reliable tests align with stringent workplace standards, providing peace of mind.

Hair testing supports employers in Toledo, OR, in maintaining compliance with substance policies, offering an added layer of assurance and legal protection.

Drug Testing Near Toledo, OR

Blodgett, OR

Siletz, OR

Summit, OR

Waldport, OR

Tidewater, OR

Depoe Bay, OR

Harlan, OR

Seal Rock, OR

Logsden, OR

Beaver Creek, OR

Eddyville, OR

Newport, OR

Agate Beach, OR

Lincoln Beach, OR

South Beach, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews