Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Trentwood, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method to identify the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can reflect substance use over about a 3-month period. It is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch cut of approximately 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additions, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair isn’t accessible, an equivalent weight of body hair can be gathered. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab analysis of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory's database. This step verifies that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial check for drugs of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient means to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be used legally. Presumptively positive samples in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. In this process, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug tests the most complex to perform.

Confirmation of any presumptive positive results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All such samples are cleaned post-screening as required. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated by both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have shorter detection times.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers a history: It provides a timeline of drug consumption over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require about 5-7 days before becoming detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are usually pricier than other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: While commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Trentwood, WA, hair follicle testing excels over urine tests due to unparalleled detection reliability. While urine tests detect recent use, hair tests identify drug presence up to 90 days prior. This extended window offers a more comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history, proving invaluable for employers implementing zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Trentwood, WA provides a remarkable detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers to assess a more complete picture of substance use history in prospective or current employees, fostering a safer and more responsible workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Trentwood, WA drastically minimize the possibility of sample tampering. The inherent nature of hair samples ensures results are authentic and trustworthy, effectively diminishing any concerns regarding sample adulteration or falsification, enhancing test integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including local sites in Trentwood, WA, we offer a convenient and streamlined testing experience. Our widespread locations guarantee prompt and efficient access to our services, reducing delays and making drug testing as hassle-free as possible for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of engaging in hair follicle testing in Trentwood, WA is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, our system is designed to ensure privacy and ease of use, addressing any potential concerns about discretion and user-friendliness.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Trentwood, WA, our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing and rapid results. We cater to businesses of all sizes with affordable options, excellent value, and fast turnaround times, ensuring peace of mind for companies seeking efficient drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The accuracy and speed of hair follicle drug tests in Trentwood, WA are unmatched. Capable of detecting trace amounts of substances with precision, these tests provide reliable results promptly.
Hair follicle tests offer an efficient solution for identifying substance use, combining quick processing times with undeniable accuracy, thereby leading the field in drug testing technologies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Trentwood, WA, adopting hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method enhances workplace safety, mitigates legal risks, and provides employers with the peace of mind that comes from reliable substance use assessments.

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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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