Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Steptoe, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant resource for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair delivers an extended record of alcohol and substances by encasing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair that’s growing. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month span for the detection of alcohol and substances. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing approximately 200 strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification purposes. For EtG, additional tests, and/or testing over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. It's advised to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair may be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Overview

The four critical phases in processing a drug test in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab’s system. This process involves confirming the specimen was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary swift assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly approach to exclude drug usage in the majority of specimens, a confirmatory test is necessary for a positive Screening result to be acceptable in legal contexts. Any samples that indicate a positive result in Screening require an additional confirmation.

Should a specimen show a positive indication in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction stage. At this point, drugs are extracted from hair at a substantially lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug analysis the most challenging method to execute.

Any positive screening results are validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are cleansed before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug analyses can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, compared to urine analyses which have a limited detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: Hair drug analyses are very tough to tamper with, ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Offers historical data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Doesn’t identify recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses generally cost more than other substance testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Despite common reference as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Steptoe, WA, it's clear why hair testing excels. The extended detection window and higher accuracy make it a preferred choice.

Hair testing is less susceptible to tampering and sample substitution, ensuring reliable results that urine tests cannot always guarantee.

The superior reliability of hair tests offers assurance for employers and legal entities seeking effective substance use detection.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Steptoe, WA, offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window for substance use, lasting up to 90 days.

This wider window provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history, aiding in informed decision-making.

The ability to detect drug use over such a long period ensures thoroughness in evaluating potential employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug tests in Steptoe, WA, offer a tamper-resistant screening solution, minimizing the risk of adulterated samples.

This method provides reliable and unquestionable results, as hair samples are difficult to manipulate compared to urine samples.

Employers and legal entities can trust hair testing's resilience against sample tampering, ensuring integrity in results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our national network of testing centers, including in Steptoe, WA, ensures that hair follicle drug testing services are conveniently accessible.

With a presence nationwide, the process of accessing testing services is quick and hassle-free, meeting the needs of various clients efficiently.

The availability of local locations makes obtaining a test straightforward and efficient for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Steptoe, WA, is simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results, respecting privacy.

Streamlined procedures ensure an easy-to-navigate experience, addressing any concerns related to the accessibility of testing services.

Ensuring a confidential and straightforward approach fosters user confidence in the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Steptoe, WA, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing without compromising on quality, plus a fast turnaround.

The combination of cost-effectiveness and speed provides exceptional value, making it a preferred choice for businesses.

Hair testing delivers prompt results and outstanding price-to-quality ratio, enhancing financial efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Steptoe, WA, hair follicle drug testing offers fast, dependable, and precise results that set them apart. This method excels in accuracy, providing a reliable detection of substance use that builds trust.

The rapid processing and high precision of hair tests ensure that individuals and organizations receive the results promptly, enhancing their decision-making processes.

Efficiency is key, and hair tests offer a swift solution for detecting drug use, outpacing traditional methods in reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Steptoe, WA, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal risks.

Using this testing method grants peace of mind, knowing that workplace regulations are upheld effectively.

Hair testing supports a secure working environment, benefiting both employers and employees.

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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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