Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Badger, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is regarded as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the hair strand’s fibers. When hair is obtained near the scalp, it can offer a detection period of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transportation.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for analysis and verification. For tests such as EtG, additional panels, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is suggested. It's advised to weigh the hair on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be taken. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the primary processing of a sample within a lab’s system. This process includes confirming that the sample was secured and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial fast examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be validated for court acceptance. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening require further verification.

Should a sample yield a tentative positive result in the Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug testing.

Validation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed prior to validation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and governed by ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which observe a limited detection window.
• Challenge to falsify: It is notably challenging to deceive a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result reliability.
• Delivers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug activity across a span, beyond mere recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: A time span of approximately 5-7 days is needed before drugs are noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Badger, WA, hair follicle tests provide numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. They offer superior detection accuracy and reliability, making them a preferred choice for a comprehensive assessment of substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

One of the key benefits of hair follicle testing in Badger, WA, is its ability to detect drug use over a prolonged period, up to 90 days. This gives employers an extensive view of an individual's substance history, ensuring informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Badger, WA, significantly minimize the chances of sample adulteration. This inherent resistance to tampering ensures that results are both reliable and unquestionable, crucial for maintaining integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations

In Badger, WA, the availability of our nationwide testing centers ensures quick, easy access to drug testing services. This convenience streamlines the process, making it hassle-free for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

In Badger, WA, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, every step ensures privacy and ease, addressing any concerns effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Badger, WA offers competitive pricing and quick results. This provides exceptional value and peace of mind, accommodating companies of various sizes with cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Badger, WA, hair follicle drug tests are known for their swiftness and precision. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy in detecting substance use, making them a preferred choice for those seeking reliable results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Badger, WA, ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This reduces legal risks and boosts workplace safety, providing peace of mind for employers committed to a secure environment.

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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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