Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lamona, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a vital method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers a prolonged record of substance usage by preserving biomarkers within the fiber structure of the hair as it grows. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol usage for a period reaching up to around three months. The collection of hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A collection of a 1.5-inch sample with about 200 hairs (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) from as close to the scalp as possible yields 100mg of hair, considered the optimal amount for initial screening and subsequent confirmation. For EtG assessments, additional tests, and/or when there are more than 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair alone. Body hair covers any other type of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result primarily includes these four steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the primary handling of a sample as it's integrated into a laboratory’s processes. This step involves checking that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any outstanding data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is the preliminary step to swiftly identify drugs of abuse. Though Screening is an economical strategy to dismiss drug use for the majority of samples, any positive result needs verification for it to hold in a legal setting. Samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample is flagged as presumptively positive during Screening, additional strands are taken from the initial sample for the Extraction process. During Extraction, drug substances are removed from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation for any positive result from Screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positivity undergo a wash before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation observes both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designations and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Comprehensive detection duration: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Integrity of test: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thereby enhancing result reliability.
• Tracks usage patterns: It can reveal a usage trend over a timeline, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incipient use detection: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lamona, WA

• Hair follicle testing excels in offering a comprehensive detection timeline that surpasses that of urine tests, giving a clearer picture of an individual's drug history.
• Hair testing reduces the possibility of tampering, ensures accurate results, and adheres to stringent collection processes, providing peace of mind for testers and employers alike.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lamona, WA

• The capability to track drug use over a span of up to 90 days offers employers in Lamona a thorough understanding of a candidate or employee’s substance use history.
• Employers benefit from a detailed view of behavior patterns, helping in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lamona, WA

• Hair follicle testing minimizes the risk of sample adulteration due to its collection method, offering substantial proof against doubts.
• Providing results that are both reliable and uncontestable, this method ensures that outcomes maintain integrity and trustworthiness.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lamona, WA

• Our ubiquitous national testing facilities ensure that hair testing services are accessible, efficient, and straightforward for clients in Lamona.
• This convenience allows for seamless testing experiences, saving time and effort for businesses and individuals alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lamona, WA

• We offer a streamlined and private procedure for arranging testing, participating in the process, and obtaining results, alleviating concerns about privacy.
• Easy to follow processes ensure that users can navigate the steps with ease, making the experience stress-free and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lamona, WA

• Our competitive pricing models and quick result delivery offer companies a cost-effective and efficient solution for drug testing.
• Businesses of all sizes appreciate the value and rapid service provided, contributing to informed workforce decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lamona, WA

• Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and quick turnaround times, crucial for fast-paced work environments needing quick answers.
• With a high accuracy rate, these tests expertly detect substance use, eliminating doubts and uncertainty, ultimately supporting informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lamona, WA

• Utilizing hair follicle testing helps in adhering to drug-free workplace policies, lowering legal risks, and increasing overall safety.
• Employers gain confidence from using a testing method that aligns with compliance expectations, safeguarding their business 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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