Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bayview, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates long-term evidence of alcohol and other substances by securing biomarkers within its growing strand fibers. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and certain drugs. The collection process is straightforward, with minimal risk of tampering, and it is simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (similar in diameter to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG enhancements and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is suggested to verify the specimen’s weight using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair may be utilized. When discussing head hair, it pertains specifically to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of drug tests adheres to four primary procedures: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the sample's initial integration into a laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample’s secure packaging and transport, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional manual data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary rapid review for drug presence. Though a cost-efficient mode to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive Screening requires confirmation as evidence in legal proceedings. Any samples identified as potentially positive during Screening necessitate further validation.

Should a sample appear presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a notably lower concentration than other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluids), defining hair drug screening as the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo cleaning when required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can expose drug ingestion for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: Evading a hair drug test is notably difficult, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Reflects historical usage: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over a duration, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent ingestion: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to be identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations are generally pricier than other test methods.
• Result disparities: Factors like hair color and individual's hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on 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 Bayview, WA

When comparing hair follicle and urine testing, hair testing offers superior detection capabilities, extending up to 90 days as opposed to urine's shorter window. This unparalleled accuracy makes it a preferred choice for comprehensive substance detection and policy enforcement.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bayview, WA

Hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, tracking drug use for up to 90 days. This longevity provides employers a detailed insight into an individual's drug history, making it an invaluable tool in evaluating substance use patterns over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bayview, WA

The robustness of hair follicle testing significantly reduces the risk of sample tampering. With hair samples being invulnerable to many common adulteration methods, the reliability and integrity of test results remain intact.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bayview, WA

With a network of testing centers nationwide, including local options in Bayview, WA, accessibility and convenience are guaranteed, enabling clients to easily and swiftly conduct necessary tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bayview, WA

The straightforward and private process involved in hair follicle testing—inclusive of ordering, performing, and receiving results—provides individuals with peace of mind regarding privacy and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bayview, WA

Competitive pricing structures paired with fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing not only affordable but also a value-driven solution for companies of all dimensions, ensuring reliability and budget-friendliness.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bayview, WA

Hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and speed, delivering rapid and trustworthy results. Known for detecting a wide range of substances, it offers labs and employers confidence in the high accuracy of findings, setting it apart from other testing methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bayview, WA

Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug policies, thus mitigating legal risks and promoting a safe, compliant working environment for all employees and stakeholders.

Drug Testing Near Bayview, WA

Raft Island, WA

University Place, WA

Gig Harbor, WA

Gig Harbor Peninsula, WA

Arletta, WA

Fox Island, WA

Shore Acres, WA

Artondale, WA

Wollochet, 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.

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