Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ewan, WA

What it is, How it works

Seen as an effective means for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol, hair testing offers a comprehensive history of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a maturing hair strand. When acquired from near the scalp, it can present up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches totaling around 200 strands (approximately the dimension of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp delivers 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, extras, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen weight. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. Reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps necessary for processing a drug test result are primarily Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the preliminary sample processing into a lab’s system, which entails verifying the sample’s sealing and shipping adequacy, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Though Screening is cost-efficient for initially ruling out drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive finding in Screening, more hair from the initial sample is prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any screening-positive result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptively positive samples undergo washing. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and per the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests are capable of detecting drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty in falsifying results: It is notably challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby providing more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug use over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual test involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing in Ewan, WA, offers superior detection and reliability. Hair tests have a longer detection window and are nearly impossible to cheat, providing employers with a clearer picture of an individual's drug use history. This detailed insight ensures more effective enforcement of substance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests conducted in Ewan, WA, reveal drug use up to a period of 90 days. This extended detection capability offers employers an in-depth understanding of an applicant's or employee’s past substance use, making it a critical tool for informed hiring and workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Ewan, WA, hair follicle testing is a tamper-resistant method that minimizes the risk of altering samples. Other testing methods are prone to manipulation, but hair tests' robust nature assures consistent, reliable results, providing unmatched confidence in testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing locations spread nationwide, including facilities in Ewan, WA, accessing testing services is straightforward and stress-free. Accredited Drug Testing’s extensive network ensures that tests can be conducted efficiently and conveniently, regardless of location.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Ewan, WA, is straightforward and confidential. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results ensures user privacy. This simplicity makes the process accessible while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Ewan, WA, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced and boast rapid turnaround times. This affordability coupled with speed provides exceptional value, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes looking to enforce drug policies effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Ewan, WA, deliver fast, precise, and trustworthy results. These tests stand out for their remarkable accuracy in identifying substance use. Employers and legal entities appreciate the rapid turnaround and detail these tests provide, making them an ideal choice for essential drug evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ewan, WA, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method helps significantly lower legal risks and enhances overall safety within the organization, offering peace of mind and a secure work 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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