Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bell Hill, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive timeline of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers in the hair's growing strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It's advisable to measure the sample using a precision scale, like a jeweler's scale. In the event scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be collected. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair refers to any other hair types (such as facial or axillary).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample into a lab's system. This process ensures the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extraneous data entry needed in absence of an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary examination for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result requires Confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Presumptively positive samples in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, more hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are separated from hair at concentrations lower than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging methods.

Confirmation for any positive screen is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation if required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed both by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a more limited detection period.
• Difficulty to falsify: It's notably difficult to alter the results of a hair drug test, enhancing its accuracy.
• Provides retrospective data: It can delineate a trend of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: It requires approximately 5-7 days before drugs become identifiable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments generally incur higher costs than other testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers greater detection accuracy in Bell Hill, WA, compared to urine tests.
The method provides reliable information by capturing a longer history of substance use. For employers and professionals, this translates to enhanced trust in the results, supporting more informed decisions regarding hiring and workplace policies.

• Longer detection window
• Increased accuracy
• Higher reliability

Extended Detection Window

In Bell Hill, WA, hair follicle testing is unmatched in capturing an extended history of drug use, offering insights up to 90 days back.

• This extended detection window is critical for employers seeking a comprehensive view of an employee's substance history.
• Such insights enable better-informed hiring and employee management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bell Hill, WA, the robustness of hair follicle tests is evident in their resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, where sample adulteration is a common concern, hair samples remain largely unaffected by outside interference.

• This trait ensures the accuracy and reliability of results.
• It gives employers confidence in the integrity of the testing process, reinforcing trust in their drug screening protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is key in Bell Hill, WA, with Accredited Drug Testing's nationwide and local centers.
These facilities enable swift and hassle-free testing service access.

• Whether local or traveling, individuals can find a testing center easily.
• Our extensive network minimizes wait times and streamlines the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bell Hill, WA, the process of opting for a hair follicle test is both simple and confidential.

• From ordering to receiving results, the steps are straightforward and ensure privacy at every stage.
• Clients can trust that their information is handled with utmost confidentiality, addressing any privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Bell Hill, WA, our competitive pricing structure for hair follicle tests ensures affordability without compromising quality.

• Rapid turnaround times further enhance the appeal, providing quick and precise results.
• This combination of value and efficiency meets the needs of businesses of all sizes, offering outstanding service at an affordable rate.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bell Hill, WA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and quick turnaround. This testing method provides highly accurate results in detecting substance use, which is vital for employers aiming for reliable screening.
With advanced technology, hair testing ensures dependable outcomes, crucial for maintaining a drug-free workplace environment and making informed employment decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Bell Hill, WA, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

• This testing method reduces legal risks, as results are considered highly reliable and defensible in various settings.
• Implementing hair testing fosters a safer workplace environment while upholding regulatory standards.

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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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