Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lummi Reservation, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug use. Hair collected near the scalp can reveal a detection window of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other substances. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it's relatively challenging to tamper with, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of about 200 strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp can yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest weighing the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be taken. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair alone. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in laboratory analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step in introducing a sample to a laboratory’s system. This step involves verifying proper sealing and shipping of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be accepted in legal settings. Any samples that screen presumptively positive require secondary confirmation.

If a sample is found presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are taken out of hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptively positive are washed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive processing within the laboratory, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug intake for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Reflects historical usage: It offers a pattern of drug consumption over a span of time, beyond just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: Detection of drugs in hair requires roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Variables like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Despite often being called "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Tests Outperform Urine Tests
In Lummi Reservation, WA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests. Hair tests guarantee superior detection accuracy and reliability.

• 90-day detection period compared to urine's shorter window.
• Minimized risk of sample tampering.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window Advantages: Employing hair follicle testing in Lummi Reservation, WA, enables detecting drug use over 90 days. This provides employers with a broad view of an individual's substance use history.

• Comprehensive drug history assessment.
• Improved decision-making for employers.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Lummi Reservation, WA, hair follicle tests drastically lower the chances of tampering. This testing method ensures that samples remain authentic and results unquestionable.

• Resistant to common adulteration methods.
• Ensures sample integrity and accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations
In Lummi Reservation, WA, take advantage of our expansive network of testing centers for swift and hassle-free access.

• Optimized for easy accessibility.
• Nationwide and local locations available.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Process
In Lummi Reservation, WA, hair follicle testing is straightforward and private.

• Streamlined ordering process.
• Ensures confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable and Fast
Our Lummi Reservation, WA, testing services combine competitive pricing and rapid turnaround.

• Excellent value for all business sizes.
• Speedy result delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Lummi Reservation, WA, stands out with its precision and swiftness. These tests offer unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance usage, ensuring swift and reliable outcomes.
Key Benefits:

• High precision in detecting various substances.
• Reliable results delivered efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind in WA
Employers in Lummi Reservation, WA, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

• Reduces legal challenges.
• Enhances overall workplace safety.

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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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