Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maplewood, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair strands capture long-term alcohol and drug traces within their fibers as they grow. When procured near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for up to almost 90 days. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample size of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirming results. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar quantity of body hair is an alternative. When mentioning head hair, we refer strictly to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with integrating a sample into the lab’s records. This phase covers ensuring that the sample is sealed and transported correctly, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any missing data entry not managed by an electronic system.

Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drug traces. While this is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most cases, any positive findings from Screening must undergo Confirmation to be valid legally. Samples that test positive in Screening will need further verification.

Should a sample show potential positive results in Screening, more hair is taken from the primary sample for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are isolated from hair in concentrations much lower than those in urine or oral fluids, making hair drug analysis the most challenging method.

The final Confirmation process of any positive screening is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited both under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug test results can reflect drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Challenging to bypass: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Patterns over time: It provides insights into drug consumption patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Hair color, growth differences, and individual factors can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although referred to as "hair follicle tests", the testing 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 Maplewood, WA

Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine testing by ensuring superior detection accuracy. In Maplewood, these tests provide a much more reliable detection timeline, typically extending up to 90 days, unlike the shorter detection period of urine tests. Their precision makes them an ideal choice for organizations focused on maintaining clean workspaces.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Maplewood, WA

Hair follicle testing provides a comprehensive outlook on drug use history over a longer term, usually up to 90 days. This expanded detection period offers employers in Maplewood a more complete understanding of an employee's or candidate’s substance use, promoting informed decision-making practices and safer workplace environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Maplewood, WA

In Maplewood, hair follicle tests are recognized for their tamper-resistant nature. The process of collecting hair samples ensures integrity and reduces the possibility of sample adulteration. This reliability fosters confidence in the test results, ensuring they remain unquestioned and dependable, which is crucial for maintaining workplace standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Maplewood, WA

With easily accessible drug testing centers across the nation, including Maplewood, getting a hair follicle test is simple and stress-free. The widespread availability of these centers ensures individuals and businesses can quickly and conveniently access reliable testing services, underscoring the efficiency of our network.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Maplewood, WA

Our hair follicle testing service in Maplewood upholds a simple and confidential approach. From requesting a test to receiving results, the process is designed to protect personal information and ensure privacy, catering to both individual and corporate needs while maintaining the highest standards of data security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Maplewood, WA

Offering competitive pricing structures, our hair follicle testing in Maplewood delivers exceptional value. Paired with quick result turnaround times, it provides companies with peace of mind and cost-effective solutions, regardless of their size, making reliable drug-testing accessible to all sectors.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Maplewood, WA

Hair follicle testing in Maplewood ensures swift and precise detection of substances. Renowned for their accuracy, these tests provide a clear insight into an individual's drug use patterns. By capturing long-term data, they offer a reliable option for individuals and organizations aiming for high standards in substance testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Maplewood, WA

Employers in Maplewood find peace of mind through hair follicle testing due to its ability to support compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By integrating this robust method, businesses reduce legal liabilities and foster safer environments, fundamentally enhancing trust and security among employees and stakeholders.

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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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