Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carlsborg, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an efficient means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a historical record of substance use by storing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is obtained near the scalp, it offers an approximate three-month timeframe for the detection of alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional evaluations, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair includes any other type of hair (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step, where the sample is entered into the laboratory system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data needed that hasn't been provided through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary and quick check for drugs of abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage in most specimens, a positive screen needs confirmation for court validity. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening require a further confirmatory test.

If the Screening phase indicates a presumptive positive result, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair in much lower concentrations than other analysis methods, such as urine or oral fluid, which is why hair drug testing is the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection period.
• Harder to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thus enhancing result precision.
• Offers a usage history: It can reveal drug use patterns over time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drug presence in hair is noticeable only after about 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug residues in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Carlsborg, WA, the former exhibits superior accuracy and reliability. Hair tests extend detection periods, unveiling substance usage far beyond the scope of urine tests. This extended reach facilitates better-informed decisions for employers.

Extended Detection Window

The advantage of hair follicle testing in Carlsborg, WA, lies in its extended detection window. Unlike other tests, it can trace drug use up to 90 days back, providing a more comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, invaluable for employers seeking detailed information.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Carlsborg, WA, are known for their tamper-resistant nature. Unlike urine tests, where adulteration is a concern, hair testing offers undeniable reliability, significantly lowering any alterations, ensuring trustworthy, unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous nationwide and local testing centers in Carlsborg, WA, accessing hair follicle tests is convenient and hassle-free. Our widespread locations ensure quick and easy availability of testing services for efficient substance use verification.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting a hair follicle test in Carlsborg, WA, involves a simple and confidential process. The procedure from ordering to receiving results ensures privacy, addressing users' concerns about ease and confidentiality in accessing their necessary information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Carlsborg, WA, we offer hair follicle testing at competitive pricing with fast turnaround times. Our services provide excellent value, ensuring quality drug testing solutions that accommodate the needs and budgets of companies regardless of their size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Carlsborg, WA, hair follicle tests are renowned for their accurate and reliable substance detection. These tests offer fast results, ensuring prompt drug use verification. The precision of hair testing surpasses traditional methods, promoting trust in results among employers and courts.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Carlsborg, WA, employing hair follicle testing promotes compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method enhances workplace safety and minimizes legal risks, providing peace of mind to employers by ensuring adherence to necessary guidelines.

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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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