Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Union Creek, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. If obtained close to the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hairs (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the ideal portion for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the hair sample is suggested. We advise weighing the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we refer exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result primarily includes four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves introducing a sample into a lab’s system. It includes ensuring the sample was sealed and transported properly, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any data entry not already covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening entails a quick preliminary check for drug presence. Though Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive is necessary for court acceptability. Samples preliminarily positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of positive screen results is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation conforms to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screening can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have shorter detection spans.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing result validity.
• Historical use insight: It reveals a drug-use pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically become detectable in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing with traditional urine tests in Union Creek, OR, hair testing stands out for its superior detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection period of hair tests allows for a more thorough understanding of a person's substance use history. Indeed, while urine tests are effective for short-term detection, they fall short in detailed, long-term assessments.

Hair follicle tests offer a significant advantage by tracing substance use over a longer window. This level of precision provides a distinct edge for employers and professionals who need to ensure comprehensive drug-free policies while minimizing the chances of tampering or inconsistent results often associated with urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Union Creek, OR, provides employers with a much more complete snapshot of an individual's substance use. Compared to traditional methods, hair tests can trace drug use back up to 90 days, offering a deeper look into behavior patterns over time.

This extended reach gives organizations the ability to make more informed decisions based on a comprehensive substance history. With hair follicle testing, employers can effectively assess and manage potential risks associated with long-term drug use, enhancing workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration in Union Creek, OR, thanks to their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine tests, where manipulation is a frequent concern, hair testing provides results that are difficult to question or compromise.

This robust testing method offers an impenetrable layer of security, ensuring that the results stand up to scrutiny and provide true insights into substance use. By minimizing the possibility of sample tampering, hair follicle tests maintain their reliability and integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide testing locations, including local options in Union Creek, OR. Our extensive network ensures that access to testing services is quick and hassle-free, providing ease and comfort to those needing drug tests.

Whether you're looking for swift access or comprehensive connections, our testing centers are strategically located to meet these needs. This geographical spread ensures clients can easily conduct tests with minimal disturbance to their daily routines.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Union Creek, OR, the process of ordering, taking, and receiving results from a hair follicle test is simple and confidential. We prioritize privacy and ease of use, ensuring that your data and results are handled discreetly and efficiently.

The streamlined procedure eliminates unnecessary complexities, making the overall experience seamless for clients. By choosing our services, you engage with a system designed to protect your confidentiality while delivering timely, reliable outcomes.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle drug testing services in Union Creek, OR, offer affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, making us a valuable choice for businesses of all sizes. Our competitive pricing structures are tailored to fit budgetary needs without compromising quality or speed.

We understand the importance of quick and reliable results, which is why our prompt service delivers peace of mind to companies seeking effective drug testing solutions. By opting for our services, organizations receive excellent value and assurance in drug detection.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers fast, accurate, and reliable results in Union Creek, OR. Its precision in detecting drugs is unparalleled, making it the preferred choice for those who need quick turnarounds. This testing method not only ensures high accuracy but also delivers results promptly, aiding in swift decision-making processes.

By choosing hair follicle testing, individuals and organizations alike benefit from its remarkable speed and effectiveness. The rigorous analysis involved ensures that the results you receive are dependable and prompt, allowing for a clearer assessment of substance use patterns.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Union Creek, OR, gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing approach reduces legal risks and promotes a safer work environment, aligning with workplace regulations and standards.

Using hair tests solidifies an employer's commitment to zero-tolerance policies, providing a reliable method to enforce these ideals. With this practice, employers can trust in the credibility of their drug testing programs and focus on maintaining optimal workplace safety and legal compliance.

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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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