Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wood Village, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged timeline of alcohol and drug exposure by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When sampled near the scalp, it can reveal a detection window reaching up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section containing roughly 200 strands of hair (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it’s advised to obtain 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be substituted. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily consists of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system. This involves ensuring the sample was securely sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary examination for drug abuse. While Screening is an economical method for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result demands verification to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples indicating a presumptive positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging procedure to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: It is exceedingly difficult to tamper with a hair drug test, ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Historical insight: It provides a depiction of drug usage patterns over a timespan, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although frequently referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Wood Village, OR
Hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests by providing more reliable detection and accuracy. The benefits of hair analysis include unrivaled sensitivity and a longer detection window that can capture frequency and patterns of substance use. This makes hair testing the go-to solution for organizations seeking a robust and thorough understanding of an individual's drug usage history, ensuring a safer workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Wood Village, OR
Through hair follicle testing, drug use can be monitored over an extended timeframe of up to 90 days, providing employers with a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history. This prolonged detection period allows them to make informed decisions based on a detailed understanding of applicants or current employees, enhancing the screening process and contributing to a substance-free environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Wood Village, OR
The structure of hair follicle drug testing significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering, offering results that are both reliable and difficult to question. This method's inherent characteristics prevent adulteration and manipulation, ensuring the authenticity of test outcomes and maintaining the integrity of the entire process, thereby fostering trust and reliability in drug evaluation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Wood Village, OR
Our extensive network of testing facilities ensures convenient access to drug testing services across the nation, including Wood Village. With numerous locations strategically positioned, individuals and employers can enjoy hassle-free and efficient access to testing, emphasizing convenience while ensuring quick and effective service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Wood Village, OR
The hair follicle testing process is both straightforward and private, balancing simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering the test to collecting samples and obtaining results, the process ensures privacy safeguards, reassuring individuals about the discretion maintained throughout. This provides peace of mind and fosters trust in the testing system.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Wood Village, OR
Our competitive pricing strategy, paired with rapid result delivery, offers exceptional value. Companies, regardless of size, can benefit from our affordable rates without compromising on the quality of testing. Fast turnaround times ensure that organizations can make timely decisions, which is crucial in maintaining operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Wood Village, OR
Hair follicle tests offer precise and swift identification of substance use, enabling rapid yet reliable medical insights. This method delivers unparalleled accuracy, establishing it as the preferred choice for entities that require certainty and speed. The superior sensitivity of hair testing ensures that no substance consumption is overlooked, making it an essential tool for comprehensive analysis of potential drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Wood Village, OR
Employing hair follicle testing for drug screening promotes adherence to drug-free workplace programs, thereby minimizing legal liabilities and ensuring a safe working environment. This method provides certainty and peace of mind for employers, affirming their commitment to maintaining a stringent and compliant drug policy which benefits both the organization and its workforce.

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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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