Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Malott, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a longer-term record of alcohol and drug use by encasing biomarkers in the strands of hair as they grow. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion containing roughly 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both preliminary testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a larger sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The key phases in processing a drug test in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the introductory processing of a sample in a lab’s system. This phase involves confirming that the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid test for substance abuse. While it is a cost-efficient method to discount drug use in most samples, a positive result must be verified to be legally defensible. Samples that are initially positive during Screening necessitate an additional confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this process, substances are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is particularly challenging.

Verification of any positive test result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumed to be positive are cleaned before confirmation as required. The entire process in the lab, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is conducted with oversight from both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can reveal drug use up to 90 days back, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, making the findings more reliable.
• Shows historical use: It offers a pattern of drug use over a longer duration, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is done on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Malott, WA surpasses traditional urine testing in several ways. It delivers superior detection accuracy, offering a more reliable assessment of substance use, which is paramount for employers and authorities alike.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Malott, WA benefit from the extended detection window of hair follicle testing. This method reveals drug use over a longer period, up to 90 days, enabling a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Malott, WA are significantly resistant to tampering. They provide results that are both reliable and unquestionable, reducing the risk of sample adulteration and ensuring integrity in drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Malott, WA, our testing centers offer convenience with nationwide locations. Access to quick, easy, and hassle-free testing services is ensured, providing a seamless experience for all individuals needing tests.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Malott, WA is simple and confidential. From ordering and taking the test to receiving the results, it addresses privacy concerns effectively while offering ease of use to all participants involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Malott, WA provide exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. This affordability and efficiency alleviate concerns, granting peace of mind regarding drug testing processes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Malott, WA, hair follicle drug tests offer precision and speed in detecting substance use. These tests are acknowledged for their high accuracy, providing reliable results that support informed decision-making in various contexts.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Malott, WA employers, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, offering peace of mind to employers and management teams.

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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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