Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Nordland, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within its growing strands. When sampled near the scalp, hair can signal up to a 3-month period for detecting alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, quite resistant to tampering, and easily mailed.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hairs (similar to a #2 pencil's width) near the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal amount for testing. For EtG, extras, and/or tests above 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested for weighing. If scalp hair is missing, a similar volume of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary steps involved in lab processing of a drug test: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of integrating a sample into a lab’s framework. It entails verifying the sample's secure seal and proper shipment, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data not included through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a swift preliminary check for substance abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient way to rule out drug presence in most samples; however, a positive result must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Samples that are initially positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample indicates a positive result during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Here, substances are retrieved from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging technique to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All initial positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation if required. Every stage, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criterion and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Limited cheating potential: It is extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing accuracy.
• Historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the test scrutinizes the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Nordland, WA, is a superior alternative to traditional urine tests. These tests provide a wider detection window, allowing for a more thorough assessment of substance use. Their unmatched accuracy and reliability make them a preferred choice for many, effectively outperforming urine tests in identifying long-term drug use.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Nordland, WA, is a game changer for employers. By capturing drug use over a period of up to 90 days, these tests offer a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history, aiding in informed employment decisions and enhancing workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Nordland, WA, significantly reduces the risk of tampering with samples. These tests provide reliable and indisputable results, as hair samples are incredibly difficult to adulterate compared to other methods, ensuring accurate detection and maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With locations throughout the nation and in Nordland, WA, accessing hair follicle testing has never been more convenient. Our numerous testing centers are designed to provide quick, straightforward, and hassle-free testing services, ensuring that meeting drug testing requirements is seamless for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Nordland, WA, the process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and discreet. From scheduling the appointment to receiving the results, every step is handled with confidentiality, alleviating concerns about privacy and highlighting the ease of this method for both testers and those being tested.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Nordland, WA, offers hair follicle testing at competitive prices, with impressive turnaround times that deliver results swiftly. Companies benefit from the cost-effective solutions provided by this testing method, which balances affordability with the assurance of prompt and accurate results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Nordland, WA, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their quick and precise outcomes. These tests boast remarkable accuracy, especially in identifying substance abuse, setting a high standard for drug detection methods. Their rapid result delivery ensures that decisions can be made swiftly, maintaining workplace safety and integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Nordland, WA, benefit greatly from hair follicle testing, which helps ensure adherence to drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal risks and fosters a safer work environment, offering peace of mind through its dependable compliance with industry standards.

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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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