Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Custer, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term data of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection window of up to about three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A hair sample of 1.5 inches, comprising around 200 strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels above 10, 150mg of specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable volume of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four key steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial sample processing within a laboratory’s system. This step includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary procedure to check for drug abuse. While it is an economical approach to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening need a secondary confirmation.

If a sample appears presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair in a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the hardest methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples preliminarily positive undergo a washing process before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It's extremely challenging to cheat a hair drug test, leading to more accurate results.
• Supplies historical information: A pattern of drug use over time can be detected, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to catch recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days before drugs can be identified in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual nuances in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Custer, WA is clear: superior detection accuracy. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a greater window of detection, ensuring comprehensive overview of substance use. Employers and legal professionals favor it for reliability, offering a more substantial assurance of a drug-free environment. With hair testing, the accuracy and dependability far outshine traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair Follicle Testing Extends Detection up to 90 days, making it ideal in Custer, WA, for employer evaluations. Whereas urine tests cover short-term use, hair tests offer a much broader perspective, reflecting months-long substance use history. This long detection window provides unprecedented insight for employers, helping make more informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reducing Tampering Risks with Hair Follicle Testing in Custer, WA is a major advantage. Due to the unique collection method, tampering chances are minimized significantly. Employers and legal entities can rely heavily on results from these tests as nearly unalterable, providing a transparent view of an individual's drug history without compromising test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Nationwide Convenience and Local Presence in Custer, WA ensure easy access to drug testing. With testing centers across the nation, we provide hassle-free, local solutions for all testing needs. This extensive network allows for quick and simple test conduction, offering unparalleled convenience regardless of location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ease and Confidentiality define the drug testing process in Custer, WA. From ordering to receiving results, the process is streamlined and secure. Ensuring privacy at every step, individuals feel confident in the system's integrity and simplicity, which makes it an appealing choice for those prioritizing personal and corporate discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Expedited Turnaround define our services in Custer, WA. We offer affordable solutions without compromising on speed or accuracy, ensuring companies of all sizes receive excellent value. Our straightforward pricing structure coupled with quick test results provides the peace of mind clients need in time-sensitive situations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and precise, hair follicle drug tests in Custer, WA, offer unmatched accuracy when detecting substance use. The efficiency of these tests ensures individuals and organizations receive timely results, minimizing downtimes. With technology geared towards precision, users can trust both the reliability and speed of our testing processes, making them a preferred choice for critical evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Employer Peace of Mind are paramount in Custer, WA. Using hair follicle testing supports drug-free workplace policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal vulnerabilities. Employers adopting hair tests can feel assured of their adherence to compliance standards, promoting a healthier, safer working environment.

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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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