Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bainbridge Island, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has increasingly become recognized as a highly effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands encapsulate biomarkers, offering a comprehensive history of substance use by embedding them within the growing strands. When collected from near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use over an approximate 90-day period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A specimen consisting of a 1.5-inch sample of roughly 200 hairs (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and validation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair isn't present, an equivalent amount from body hair may be used. Head hair specifically pertains to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The essential steps in processing a drug test result in the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial processing of a sample into the lab’s system. This process verifies the sample's sealing and shipping integrity, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any pending data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid examination for the presence of drugs. While it is an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening require additional confirmation.

When a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every presumptively positive specimen is cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accredited under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use over as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a notably shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely difficult, which enhances the reliability of the results.
• Historical usage insight: Offers a timeline of drug use, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Not suitable for detecting recent usage: Drugs typically become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is usually costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation is performed on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

• Hair tests offer superior accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests.
• The non-intrusive collection method is less invasive and more comfortable.
• Longer detection periods provide a more comprehensive drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

• Hair follicle tests reveal drug use history for up to 90 days, rising above traditional methods.
• Employers can assess long-term patterns, aiding in better hiring decisions.
• Individuals and organizations gain a clearer picture of substance usage over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

• Hair tests significantly reduce the chance of sample tampering compared to other methods.
• The collection process is observed, ensuring authenticity and integrity.
• These tests provide results that are difficult to adulterate, building trust in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations

• Our testing centers span across the nation, including Bainbridge Island, WA.
• Accessing our testing services is straightforward and hassle-free.
• Enjoy quick and efficient testing experiences at local facilities.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

• Our process is discreet, ensuring your privacy throughout.
• From ordering to receiving results, each step is confidential and easy to manage.
• Addressing privacy concerns, our procedures guarantee comfort and confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

• We offer competitive pricing structures, making testing accessible for all sizes of businesses.
• Our fast turnaround times ensure minimal waiting for results.
• Get excellent value and peace of mind knowing you’re getting the best service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

• Hair follicle testing ensures rapid, precise detection of substance use.
• Advanced technology allows for high accuracy in identifying various drugs, providing peace of mind.
• Results are delivered swiftly, ensuring timely decision-making for employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

• Hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies.
• Reduces legal risk, fostering a safer and more productive work environment.
• Employers can confidently trust in the test’s accuracy and credibility.

Drug Testing Near Bainbridge Island, WA

Annapolis, WA

Keyport, WA

Bremerton, WA

Central Valley, WA

Tracyton, WA

Manchester, WA

Port Madison, WA

Brownsville, WA

Enetai, WA

Gilberton, WA

Manzanita, WA

Wautauga Beach, WA

Rollingbay, WA

Port Blakely, WA

Eagledale, WA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews