Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Summit, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged history of alcohol and drug usage by encapsulating biomarkers within the growing hair strands. When taken near the scalp, hair provides a detection period of up to around three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for both screening and confirmation purposes. For tests requiring EtG, add-ons, and/or exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In cases where scalp hair cannot be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug test's laboratory processing consists of four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory’s protocol. This step involves ensuring the sample's seal and proper shipping, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not automatically handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in the majority of samples. However, to be court-admissible, any positive findings require confirmation. Samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

In cases of a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing among the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive Screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation as required. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection timeframe: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is challenging, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Reveals patterns: It outlines a timeline of drug use over time, rather than identifying just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than other forms of drug testing.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Summit, WA, the benefits of hair follicle testing overwhelmingly surpass those of traditional urine tests. Hair analysis showcases superior detection accuracy and trustworthiness, making it a preferred choice for many. While urine tests offer shorter detection windows, hair tests explore a deeper timeline of substance usage, aiding in comprehensive decision-making for employers adhering to strict drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

The ability to detect substance use over a long duration is what sets hair follicle testing apart in Summit, WA. Extending detection up to 90 days, it provides employers with a detailed narrative of an applicant or employee's drug history. Through thorough analysis, this testing method offers insights into long-term tendencies, assisting employers in making informed decisions with substantial evidence of past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Summit, WA's hair follicle test process is a standout due to its resistance to tampering. By collecting samples in an observed manner, it significantly limits the possibility of adulteration. This ensures results remain trustworthy and unchallenged, offering a reliable method of drug testing that employers and authorities can depend upon for verified results that hold up to scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers spread across the nation and locally in Summit, WA, accessing drug testing services is quick and hassle-free. Accredited Drug Testing's pragmatic approach means you can find a suitable location near you, ensuring the testing process is as convenient as possible, without the need for extensive travel or complex scheduling.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Summit, WA, the hair follicle testing process is crafted to be both simple and confidential. With an easy-to-order system, straightforward testing, and private result processing, client anxiety regarding privacy is effectively addressed. Whether for individuals or businesses, this seamless approach prioritizes user ease and privacy throughout the entire procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and swift turnaround times make hair follicle testing a viable option in Summit, WA. The competitive cost structure ensures excellent value, affording companies of all sizes the ability to implement comprehensive drug testing programs without strain. Rapid processing means results are returned promptly, facilitating prompt and effective decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Emphasizing precision and speed, hair follicle drug testing in Summit, WA, is unrivaled in its ability to deliver fast and accurate results. With the power to discern drug use through the analysis of hair samples, this method ensures a meticulous approach, capturing substance usage with high fidelity. The advanced technology behind these tests promises impeccable accuracy and quick processing, aiding in effective monitoring.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Summit, WA, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, bringing peace of mind by diminishing legal risks. This method reinforces the commitment to workplace safety, guaranteeing compliance and offering a shield against potential liabilities, creating a secure and diligent work atmosphere for everyone involved.

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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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