Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grisdale, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of alcohol and drugs. Hair offers an extensive history of substance use, as biomarkers become embedded within the hair as it grows. When obtained close to the scalp, hair can reveal up to a three-month period of drug and alcohol detection. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section comprising about 200 hair strands (roughly the dimension of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, deemed ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to determine the specimen's weight is suggested. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, a comparable quantity of body hair might be sourced. When noting head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Other hair types (such as facial, axillary, etc.) are categorized as body hair.

Process Overview

The key stages entailed in lab processing for drug test outcomes include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the sample's initial integration into the lab system. This step encompasses ensuring the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary, rapid evaluation for substance use. Although Screening is an economical means to dismiss drug usage for most samples, those yielding a positive screen must be confirmed to stand legally. Any samples that are tentatively positive during Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample appear positive during the Screening step, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug analysis is exceptionally challenging.

Confirming a positive screening outcome is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Supplies historical data: Provides a chronological view of drug use over time, rather than recent usage alone.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot reveal recent use: Takes about 5-7 days for substances to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often incur higher costs compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests," the examination actually analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Prevails in Grisdale, WA
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, several advantages emerge. Hair testing's superior detection time frame and robustness make it the preferred choice.

With hair tests, detection of long-term substance use is possible, showcasing their reliability and accuracy over traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Long Detection Period in Grisdale, WA
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, reaching up to 90 days, which gives a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history.

This feature is invaluable for employers seeking detailed insights into their applicants or employees, ensuring informed decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reducing Sample Tampering in Grisdale, WA
The structure of hair follicle tests notably decreases the likelihood of sample adulteration, yielding reliable and unquestionable outcomes.

This integrity factor is crucial, as it upholds the test’s validity, assuring employers of accurate and authentic results without tampering concerns.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience in Grisdale, WA
Our nationwide and local testing centers, including those in Grisdale, WA, offer unmatched convenience for clients, ensuring swift and easy access to our services.

This widespread availability allows for a hassle-free experience, with quick and accessible testing services throughout various locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Easy and Confidential in Grisdale, WA
Ordering and undertaking hair follicle tests is a straightforward process, maintaining the utmost confidentiality and ease of use.

Ensuring privacy and simplicity, our procedure addresses common concerns, providing a secure and user-friendly testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Value for Money in Grisdale, WA
Our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times deliver excellent value, appealing to businesses of all sizes in need of efficient drug testing.

With affordable costs and fast processing times, our services offer peace of mind, ensuring consistent reliability without breaking budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speed and Accuracy in Grisdale, WA
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for delivering fast yet precise results. Their timely accuracy in detecting substance use ensures that results are both swift and dependable.

Thanks to advanced technology, these tests boast an impressive ability to rapidly assess drug use in individuals, maintaining high precision while delivering results in an expedient manner.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Safety in Grisdale, WA
Employers using hair follicle testing enhance their commitment to workplace drug-free policies, effectively minimizing legal risks and boosting safety.

This not only ensures regulatory compliance but also fosters a safer working environment, increasing overall peace of mind for business owners.

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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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