Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Jackson Prairie, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair captures a long-term trace of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When collected near the scalp, it offers a detection period of up to roughly three months for substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp results in 100mg of hair, which is ideal for evaluation and validation. For EtG, supplementary, and/or over 10-panel tests, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weight accuracy. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equal quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing of a drug test comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any remaining data entry that an electronic chain of custody doesn't cover.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drug misuse. Although Screening effectively eliminates drug usage for the bulk of samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal validity. Presumptive positives in Screening require further verification.

In the event of a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the originating sample for Extraction preparation. This phase sees drugs removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than alternate methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening findings is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed as needed before confirmation. The entire laboratory procedure—spanning Accessioning to Confirmation—is vetted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screens detect drug use for as long as 90 days, surpassing urine tests which have a more limited detection duration.
• Hard to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, rendering the results more reliable.
• Provides a usage history: It reveals a pattern of drug use across time, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative methods.
• Result variations: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth can impact the concentration of drug residues.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Jackson Prairie, WA
Hair testing stands superior to traditional urine screenings, boasting better detection accuracy. The expansive window for identifying drugs makes it more reliable, offering certainty for employers. The sensitivity of hair tests ensures fewer false negatives, reinforcing their place as a top choice.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Jackson Prairie, WA
A hallmark of hair follicle testing is its long reach, detecting drug use for up to 90 days. This gives a fuller picture of an individual's substance history, offering insights unmatched by urine tests. For employers, this means a deeper understanding of an applicant or existing employee's habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Jackson Prairie, WA
Hair follicle tests are notably difficult to adulterate, presenting a challenge to those seeking to alter results. This feature ensures reliability and confidence in outcomes, protecting the integrity of the testing process. Employers can rest easy knowing that the results are both accurate and trustworthy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Jackson Prairie, WA
With Accredited Drug Testing, you benefit from a network of stores stretching across the nation. This extensive reach ensures quick and stress-free access to testing services, whether you're in bustling cities or serene locales like Jackson Prairie.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Jackson Prairie, WA
The process for hair follicle testing is straightforward and discreet. Ordering, collection, and receiving results are all designed to respect privacy concerns, ensuring a stress-free experience. This is crucial for those seeking both ease of use and confidentiality in drug testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Jackson Prairie, WA
Offering competitive pricing structures, hair follicle testing is budget-friendly for businesses of all sizes. The swift turnaround time provides quick insights, merging value with efficiency. Companies can enjoy peace of mind without putting a dent in their budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Jackson Prairie, WA
Hair follicle testing offers unparalleled efficiency in drug screening. Not only do these tests provide precise results, but they also deliver rapid outcomes, ensuring high accuracy for assessing substance use. With a streamlined process, these tests quickly detect drugs, making them a favorite choice for many.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Jackson Prairie, WA
By adopting hair follicle testing, employers are ensured of abiding by strict drug-free workplace regulations. These tests help lower legal risks and bolster workplace safety, offering peace of mind. The comprehensive screening strengthens policy adherence.

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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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