Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Yamhill, OR

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting substance use. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption by trapping biomarkers in the strands. When hair is collected near the scalp, it offers a detection window of up to about 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch section containing around 200 strands of hair (similar to the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the recommended sample size for testing. For EtG, additional tests, and/or over 10-panel tests, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the hair sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar amount of body hair may be collected. "Head hair" should be interpreted as scalp hair only, whereas "body hair" encompasses other hair types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing phase of incorporating a sample into the lab's system. This step involves verifying the sample's secure sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data recording not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for substance abuse. It is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples; however, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to hold up in court. Any presumptively positive samples in Screening need additional confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in Screening, further hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. Drugs are isolated from hair at lower concentrations compared to other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptively positive sample undergoes washing before confirmation as required. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which span a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It's extremely challenging to cheat a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It provides a use pattern over time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing protocols.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Even though referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The Superiority of Hair Over Urine Testing in Yamhill, OR
Hair follicle testing in Yamhill, OR, proves to be superior to traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy. Hair tests are less susceptible to tampering, making them more reliable. They outperform urine tests by offering a much longer detection window, allowing employers a more comprehensive understanding of a person's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Long-Term Detection in Yamhill, OR
Hair follicle testing in Yamhill, OR, effectively identifies drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This prolonged window allows employers to gain a thorough overview of an individual's substance history. It aids in assessing long-term patterns of drug use, crucial for informed decision-making by employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reduced Adulteration Risks in Yamhill, OR
In Yamhill, OR, hair follicle testing drastically minimizes the chances of sample tampering. It provides more reliable and indisputable results compared to other methods. This testing method safeguards the integrity of the sample, helping to ensure that the test results are trustworthy and accurate.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing in Yamhill, OR
Our widespread network of testing centers makes access to hair follicle tests hassle-free in Yamhill, OR. Whether you're near or far, our services ensure quick and easy testing availability, supporting your need for secure and accessible drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Private in Yamhill, OR
Ordering, administering, and receiving results for hair follicle tests in Yamhill, OR, is straightforward and confidential. Protecting your privacy, our process is designed for ease of use, ensuring that you can manage drug testing without any stress or worry about privacy breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Quick in Yamhill, OR
Competitive pricing and fast turnaround options make hair follicle testing in Yamhill, OR, a great value for all business sizes. We provide an affordable solution without compromising on quality or speed, guaranteeing excellent service and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speed and Precision in Yamhill, OR
In Yamhill, OR, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and swiftness. Their high accuracy levels in identifying substance use are complemented by rapid processing times, ensuring you get the results you need both quickly and reliably. This makes them an excellent choice for timely and dependable drug detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance Assurance in Yamhill, OR
Adopting hair follicle testing in Yamhill, OR, supports employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It reduces legal liabilities and promotes a safer working environment. Employers can rest assured that they are meeting regulatory requirements and protecting their workforce.

Drug Testing Near Yamhill, OR

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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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