Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hockinson, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug presence by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to approximately 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to manipulation, and convenient for transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, containing roughly 200 hair strands (roughly akin to the diameter of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of specimen is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair can be gathered. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial sample processing into a lab's system. This involves checking the sample for proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid test for drug presence. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in court. Any samples testing presumptively positive during Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

For samples presumed positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for preparation in the Extraction stage. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is one of the most challenging methodologies.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS is used for verifying any positive screening outcomes. All presumptive positive samples undergo a wash prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for a period of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter period for detection.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is considerably challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can display a pattern of drug use over time, rather than recent use alone.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis involves the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hockinson, WA

• Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering unmatched detection accuracy and reliability. Its prolonged detection period provides a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance use, unlike urine tests limited to recent drug intake. Employers seeking thorough assessments benefit from the robustness of hair testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hockinson, WA

• Hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection window, covering up to 90 days of drug use history. This extensive period allows employers to obtain a detailed overview of an applicant's or employee's substance habits, aiding in informed decision-making and maintaining a drug-free workplace environment more effectively than shorter-duration urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hockinson, WA

• The integrity of hair follicle testing is its ability to resist tampering, offering robust protection against potential adulteration. This feature ensures that results are consistent and unassailable, delivering assurance to employers and authorities relying on this method for accurate substance use assessments and maintaining the credibility of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hockinson, WA

• The convenience of our widespread testing centers across the nation, including in Hockinson, WA, offers clients swift, effortless access to testing services without unnecessary complications. This extensive network facilitates prompt and efficient testing experiences, ensuring that individuals and employers can access the services they need with minimal hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hockinson, WA

• We ensure a straightforward and private process for ordering, conducting, and receiving test results. This approach addresses privacy concerns while simplifying the user experience, allowing individuals and businesses to engage with our services with confidence and ease, thereby maintaining discretion while meeting testing needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hockinson, WA

• Our competitive pricing models coupled with quick turnaround times provide notable value for organizations of any size. This combination of cost-efficiency and rapid service grants companies peace of mind, knowing they have invested in quality testing solutions that uphold high standards of accuracy and service delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hockinson, WA

• Hair follicle drug tests provide results that are both precise and expeditious, ensuring accurate detection of substances. Their ability to recognize multiple drugs with high sensitivity makes them a preferred choice for those requiring exactness. Thus, entities enforcing strict policies can rely on this method for quick and dependable analysis of substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hockinson, WA

• Employing hair follicle testing ensures businesses adhere to drug-free workplace policies, diminishing legal exposure and bolstering workplace safety. This reliable method of testing enhances an employer's peace of mind, knowing they are in full compliance with regulatory standards while promoting a healthy and productive 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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