Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Colbert, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair records a prolonged history of alcohol and other substances by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug use for a period of almost 3 months. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A specimen measuring 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal quantity for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is advisable. When scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable portion of body hair might be used. References to head hair pertain exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair pertains to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of processing a drug test result in the laboratory encompasses four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary entry of a sample into a laboratory's system, involving confirmation of proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any other data entry tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening presents an initial, efficient examination for drug abuse. While Screening is cost-efficient for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample return a presumptively positive result during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation in the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to conduct.

Confirming any positive screening result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a reduced detection period.
• Challenge to evade: Evading a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals a usage pattern over time, not just recent exposure.

Limitations:

• Failing to detect recent use: Drugs require around 5-7 days to become perceptible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result disparities: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually examines the hair strand and not the scalp follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Colbert, WA, the benefits of hair follicle testing over urine tests are notable. Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability, proving advantageous for many organizations. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a more comprehensive and reliable picture of an individual's substance use history, thus helping employers make informed decisions based on an accurate assessment of an applicant or employee's habits.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle tests in Colbert, WA allows employers to gain insights into drug use history over a significant period, up to 90 days. This longer detection period provides a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use, aiding employers in making well-informed decisions about applicants and employees, beyond immediate short-term detection means.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Colbert, WA, the hair follicle testing method considerably minimizes the risk of sample tampering. As these tests are substantially resistant to fraud, they offer robust and credible results. With the stringent collection process, the hair tests deliver outcomes that eliminate doubts about authenticity, ensuring that the results can be trusted and relied upon for critical decision-making.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including Colbert, WA, Accredited Drug Testing ensures easy access to services. This convenience facilitates a quick, hassle-free process for individuals seeking testing services. Clients benefit from the local availability coupled with seamless operation in any city, ensuring that testing is as straightforward and efficient as possible.

Simple, Confidential Process

Accredited Drug Testing in Colbert, WA offers a straightforward, confidential process for drug testing. The entire procedure, from ordering the test to collecting samples and obtaining results, is designed to be easy and private. This approach not only respects privacy concerns but also assures users of a smooth and confidential experience every step of the way.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Colbert, WA, Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, providing excellent value for companies of varying sizes. Organizations appreciate the affordability of the services combined with the swiftness in obtaining results. This balance of value and efficiency makes our testing services a viable option for any business seeking dependable drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Colbert, WA have gained prominence due to their fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests stand out not only for their precision but also for their rapid processing, offering an unmatched accuracy in detecting substance use. The hair test methodology ensures quick results without compromising on accuracy, making them a preferred choice for timely and precise drug testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Colbert, WA find confidence in hair follicle testing to ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By adopting this method, companies mitigate legal risks and bolster workplace safety. The assurance that employees adhere to substance policies fosters peace of mind, knowing that the possibility of illicit drug presence in the workplace is significantly reduced.

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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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