Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Altoona, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. It reveals a comprehensive history of substance intake, as hair fibers capture biomarkers. A sample cut near the scalp can reflect up to a 3-month window for detection of various substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hairs (resembling a #2 pencil thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the preferred amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, extra tests, or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the hair is suggested. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of another type of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, it specifically means scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis for drug tests consists of four essential steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial handling phase of a sample within a lab's framework. This step ensures the sample’s seal and shipment are intact, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data typically captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

During Screening, a preliminary assessment for drug presence is conducted. Although a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use for most samples, a confirmed result is necessary for legitimacy in judicial contexts. Samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening demand further validation.

If deemed potentially positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial batch for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated at notably lower concentrations compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods, positive screening results undergo Confirmation. All potentially positive samples undergo necessary washing steps prior to confirmation. The entire procedural sequence, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Capable of identifying drug consumption up to 90 days, compared to the shorter period urine tests offer.
• Hard to bypass: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, thus enhancing result reliability.
• Reveals usage trends: Displays a historical pattern of drug use, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: A timeframe of 5-7 days is necessary before drugs can be identified in hair samples.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests incur higher costs than other testing frameworks.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth rate can influence drug metabolite concentrations found in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand itself, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests hold a distinct advantage over traditional urine tests in Altoona, WA. When comparing both, hair testing showcases superior detection capabilities and reliability due to its longer detection timeframe.

Employers in Altoona favor hair testing for its ability to identify past substance use with greater accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle analysis offers a more comprehensive view, leading to enhanced trust in results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug tests in Altoona, WA excel with their extended detection window, identifying drug use up to 90 days prior. This feature is crucial for employers seeking a complete history of an applicant's or employee's substance use.

With a longer detection period, hair testing provides a thorough overview, aiding in the evaluation of potential employees. Employers benefit from insights that typical urine tests cannot offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair testing in Altoona, WA stands out as a tamper-resistant method, minimizing the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures that the results are reliable and beyond dispute, an advantage over more vulnerable urine tests.

Employers trust hair follicle tests for their integrity and resistance to manipulation, providing unequivocal results that reinforce confidence in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With widespread testing centers, including in Altoona, WA, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient access to services. Our nationwide network ensures hassle-free and swift testing availability.

Employers and individuals benefit from accessible testing locations, simplifying the process of securing necessary drug tests and ensuring timely service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing ensures a straightforward and confidential process in Altoona, WA. Ordering, taking, and receiving test results is seamless and designed to protect privacy.

Our approach prioritizes ease of use, allowing clients to navigate the testing process confidently and securely, without concern for confidentiality breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, Accredited Drug Testing in Altoona, WA delivers excellent value to businesses of all sizes. Our services provide peace of mind at a cost-effective rate.

Companies benefit from our cost-efficient testing options and swift results, ensuring budget-friendly compliance with workplace drug policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The swift and accurate results of hair follicle tests in Altoona, WA are unmatched. This method offers high precision in identifying drug use, making it the preferred choice for many. Employers can rely on the speed of these tests to make informed decisions quickly.

Hair tests are celebrated for their accuracy, providing peace of mind with consistent results. This testing method allows for the dependable detection of substance use, ensuring reliability in workplace screenings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Altoona, WA helps employers achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies. These tests reduce legal risks and promote a safe working environment.

Hair testing enhances workplace safety by ensuring policy adherence. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they're taking proactive steps against workplace drug abuse.

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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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