Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maltby, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It captures a chronological account of drug use and alcohol intake by embedding biomarkers within the hair strand fibers as they lengthen. If retrieved close to the scalp, hair may reveal a detection period of nearly three months for substances, encompassing alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and effortless to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for an initial screen and subsequent confirmation. For EtG, additional elements, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. For precision, we suggest utilizing a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair cannot be collected, a comparable quantity of body hair is permissible. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Conversely, body hair encompasses all other hair categories (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processes for determining a drug test result consist of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s framework. This step includes validating that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts an expedited preliminary assessment for drug abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient means to exclude drug usage in most samples, confirmation is necessary for any positive screen to be deemed court-admissible. Presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair with substantial precision compared to other methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), which contributes to why hair drug screening is notably arduous.

Positive results from Screening are affirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as appropriate. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning through Confirmation is meticulously assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug consumption up to 90 days past, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection window.
• Difficult to falsify: It is notably complicated to deceive a hair drug test, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Yields historical information: It can outline a history of drug usage over time, as opposed to reflecting only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of recent detection: Drugs become traceable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair pigmentation and personal hair growth variations can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Often characterized as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Maltby, WA
Compared to the traditional urine test, hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests detect recent drug use, hair tests in Maltby provide a longer window of detection, effectively document substance history, and offer a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's drug use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Maltby, WA
Employers in Maltby seeking a thorough assessment of applicants and employees can rely on hair follicle testing. With a detection window of up to 90 days, it provides a detailed view into an individual's drug or substance use history. This long-term insight is invaluable for establishing a safe and compliant work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Maltby, WA
One of the key advantages of hair follicle drug testing is its resistance to tampering. Unlike urine tests, the integrity of a hair sample is less susceptible to alteration, which ensures that the results are trustworthy and beyond dispute, making it the preferred choice for ensuring unadulterated testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Maltby, WA
With a wide network of testing centers nationwide, Accredited Drug Testing offers residents of Maltby easy access to its services. The local presence ensures convenience, eliminating the hassle of commuting long distances, and provides prompt and efficient testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Maltby, WA
Accredited Drug Testing in Maltby ensures a process that is both straightforward and confidential. Clients can order tests, take them, and receive results with ease, all while safeguarding their privacy. This level of confidentiality and simplicity is crucial to those using our testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Maltby, WA
Offering competitive prices and quick result delivery, Accredited Drug Testing provides great value in Maltby, WA. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from our cost-effective solutions, easing budget concerns while maintaining the highest standards of testing efficacy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Maltby, WA
Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision and swiftness in identifying substance use. These tests in Maltby, WA deliver high accuracy, ensuring that the results are both reliable and prompt. The methodology of hair follicle testing allows for quick processing, making it an ideal choice for those needing fast results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Maltby, WA
By utilizing hair follicle testing, employers in Maltby can adhere to drug-free workplace policies with confidence. This method not only mitigates legal risks but also promotes a safer work setting. Hair testing assures peace of mind, knowing every step has been taken to maintain a drug-free 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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