Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Boyds, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term usage history of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair samples offer a detection window of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collection is easy, the potential for adulteration is limited, and the samples are simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (akin to the girth of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, perfect for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest measuring the specimen on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, body hair in equivalent amounts may be used. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the process of initially integrating a sample into the lab system. This entails verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any supplementary data input not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug presence in most samples, a positive result must undergo confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples that presumptively test positive in Screening necessitate a confirmatory examination.

For cases with a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are retrieved from hair at notably lower levels than in alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies to execute.

A positive screening is validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process 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 identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited detection window.
• Resistance to deception: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, thereby enhancing result reliability.
• Reveals usage trends: Offers an overview of drug use patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent ingestion: Drugs become traceable in hair after 5-7 days from initial use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Boyds, WA

The superiority of hair testing lies in its ability to detect substances over an extended time frame compared to urine tests. Hair follicle tests provide a comprehensive assessment, enhancing detection accuracy. Employers and authorities find them more reliable for enforcing drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Boyds, WA

Hair follicle testing offers an unparalleled detection period, identifying drug use over a span of up to 90 days. This extensive window equips employers in Boyds, WA with a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, beyond what short-term urine tests can provide.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Boyds, WA

The integrity of hair follicle tests is paramount as they significantly curtail the likelihood of sample tampering. This robustness ensures reliable and legitimate results, instilling trust among employers in Boyds, WA seeking unquestionable drug testing solutions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Boyds, WA

Accredited Drug Testing delivers accessible services across its extensive network of nationwide testing sites, including local centers in Boyds, WA. This breadth of locations guarantees a quick and convenient access for customers seeking hassle-free drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Boyds, WA

Ensuring simplicity and confidentiality, our process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle test results is straightforward. Clients in Boyds, WA appreciate the privacy and ease with which results are obtained, addressing concerns about discretion and efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Boyds, WA

Competitive pricing and swift service turnaround underline our commitment to delivering value. Companies in Boyds, WA benefit from economical pricing structures and prompt testing outcomes, making it a favorable choice for organizations of various sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Boyds, WA

Hair follicle drug tests in Boyds, WA stand out for their precision and speed. With a high degree of accuracy, these tests effectively identify substance use. Quick results and rigorous accuracy make them a preferred choice among employers aiming for reliable drug screening methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Boyds, WA

Hair follicle testing supports compliance with workplace drug-free mandates, offering peace of mind. This method helps Boyds, WA employers mitigate legal risks, fortify workplace safety, and uphold zero-tolerance policies efficiently with reliable testing outcomes.

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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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