Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ralston, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair tests are recognized as an effective method for detecting substance consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the hair's structure. Collected near the scalp, hair can yield roughly a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Collecting hair is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we only mean scalp hair. Body hair describes all other hair types (beard, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab handling of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning means the sample's initial entry into a lab's system. This step involves ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a swift preliminary drug abuse test. While a cost-efficient way to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed for court use. Samples testing presumptive positive in Screening need further confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. This step extracts drugs from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to perform.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably tough, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It provides usage patterns over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent consumption: It typically takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair pigmentation and personal hair growth rates can influence metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair shaft, not the subcutaneous hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ralston, WA

• Hair tests excel with extended detection windows compared to urine.
• The reliability and accuracy of hair tests often surpass traditional methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ralston, WA

• Providing insights into drug use dating back up to 90 days, hair testing offers a thorough view of substance history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ralston, WA

• Hair follicle tests greatly mitigate the risk of sample tampering.
• These tests offer reliable and unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Ralston, WA

• Our nationwide centers make accessing testing services quick and easy.
• Ralston residents benefit from hassle-free testing procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ralston, WA

• The process of ordering, testing, and result reception is straightforward and discreet.
• Addresses privacy concerns while maintaining ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ralston, WA

• Competitive pricing structures enhance value for businesses of all sizes.
• Promising quick results, offering peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ralston, WA

• Hair follicle testing delivers swift and precise substance use detection.
• Renowned for high accuracy, it provides definitive results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ralston, WA

• Ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies.
• Reduces legal risks and enhances organizational 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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