Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ridgefield, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended timeline for detecting alcohol and drugs due to the trapping of biomarkers in its fibers as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair tests can provide an approximately three-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A 1.5-inch sample containing roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those beyond 10 panels, 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair isn't an option, a comparable quantity of body hair can be taken. When we refer to head hair, it's specifically about scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types (like facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning handles the initial sample processing into the laboratory’s system, ensuring the sample was sealed and shipped properly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not already covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary check for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach for ruling out drug use on most samples, any positive screen must be validated to be acceptable in court. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening need further confirmation.

For samples testing presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair from the original specimen is processed for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), hence why hair drug testing is the most complex method to execute.

To confirm any positive Screening result, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS are used. Before confirming, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted by both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests are able to detect drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which feature a shorter detection span.
• Difficult to falsify: Falsifying a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can show a drug use trend over an extended period, not only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for substances to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternate drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand, not the subscalp hair follicle

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ridgefield, WA
Hair testing offers unparalleled detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. Its superior reliability makes it an appealing choice for employers emphasizing stringent drug-use policies.

The broader detection scope of hair tests covers a more extended period, providing detailed insights into substance habits, thus surpassing the reliability of urine testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ridgefield, WA
Hair follicle testing captures drug use data over a prolonged duration, reaching up to 90 days. This extensive window presents a comprehensive understanding of a participant's drug history.

This lengthy detection period gives employers a complete view of substance control measures by showing a historical pattern of substance usage, beyond immediate intoxication instances.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ridgefield, WA
The innate design of hair follicle testing significantly posits a defense against sample manipulation. This ensures the authenticity and dependability of diagnostic results.

Employers can confidently uphold their zero-tolerance policies due to the test's robust resistance to tampering, establishing a strong layer of reliability against potential deceit.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ridgefield, WA
With a network of nationwide centers, hair follicle testing is accessible and simple for clients. Our Ridgefield locations offer swift and straightforward testing services.

Easy access to local testing facilities ensures minimal disruption during the testing process, enhancing convenience and sparing companies from prolonged downtimes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ridgefield, WA
The process of ordering and taking hair follicle drug tests is designed to be straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy at every step.

Participants can rest assured knowing that their sensitive information is protected and the testing process remains discreet while producing reliable results efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ridgefield, WA
Competitive pricing paired with quick result times makes hair follicle drug testing an excellent choice for organizations aiming to balance cost with efficiency.

Furthermore, our services are designed to meet budgetary constraints while ensuring high-quality results, offering little room for compromise in either pricing or service delivery speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ridgefield, WA
Hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision and swift processing times. Known for their accuracy, these tests can detect substance use with remarkable speed, ensuring that employers and clients alike can trust their outcomes.

Whether it's a pre-employment screen or ongoing testing routine, the rapid results delivered by hair follicle tests allow companies to make informed decisions quickly, maintaining workflow efficiency.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ridgefield, WA
Hair follicle drug testing aids employers in maintaining compliance with stringent workplace safety and drug-free initiatives, significantly lowering legal exposures.

Through this testing method, employers gain peace of mind that workplace environments remain safe and policies are uncompromised, promoting an unwavering state of compliance.

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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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