Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tyler, WA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the hair fiber as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample containing around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) from the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary items, and/or tests over 10 panels, it's advisable to gather 150mg of the sample. We suggest confirming the weight of the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types (face, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages involved in the laboratory handling of a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial intake of a sample into a lab's system. This step verifies the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other necessary data tasks not supported by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an expedited evaluation for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use for the majority of samples, a positive result requires validation to be considered permissible in court. Any samples that test positive in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Preparation. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with preliminary positive results are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligns with the ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection periods of urine tests.
• Difficulty to deceive: It is challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more trustworthy results.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals drug usage trends over time, rather than only recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Drugs become noticeable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color, along with individual growth differences, might influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests outshine urine tests in Tyler, WA due to extensive detection periods and superior reliability. Unlike conventional urine tests, hair testing unravels substance history further back and is less prone to deception. The benefits of hair testing cater to employers needing dependable results.

Employers gain from hair testing's broader detection scope, significantly surpassing urine tests. Hair tests are challenging to tamper with, yielding precise and reliable results. The improved accuracy offers a comprehensive look at substance use histories.

Extended Detection Window

The ability of hair follicle testing in Tyler, WA, to detect drug use over the past 90 days offers a profound advantage. This extended detection window provides a full perspective of an applicant or employee's substance use history, making it invaluable for thorough background checks.

Employers in Tyler, WA, recognize the benefit of a longer detection window through hair follicle testing. By covering up to three months, it offers the thorough examination vital for maintaining a drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Tyler, WA, minimizes sample manipulation risks, offering credible results. This tamper-resistant approach assures employers of the test's integrity, making it the preferred method for those seeking unchallengeable outcomes.

Utilizing hair follicle tests significantly reduces the potential for sample adulteration in Tyler, WA. The reliability of results is unmatched, ensuring an authentically clean reading which bolsters the reputation of those subjected to testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers located nationwide and in Tyler, WA, our services are easily accessible and efficient. Accredited Drug Testing provides a hassle-free experience with numerous convenient locations, ensuring seamless access for everyone needing drug testing.

Convenience is paramount with our widespread testing locations, including Tyler, WA, ensuring easy access. Accredited Drug Testing facilitates quick, straightforward experiences tailored to clients' needs without any hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results in Tyler, WA, is straightforward and discreet. We meet the need for privacy, ensuring a confidential procedure from start to finish, offering peace of mind for individuals concerned with their personal information.

Accredited Drug Testing in Tyler, WA, adopts a seamless, confidential approach. Our easy process respects clients' privacy, ensuring all procedures, from test ordering to result reception, are handled with utmost discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and speedy results make hair follicle testing in Tyler, WA, an attractive option. Our quick turnaround times and cost-effective pricing offer substantial value, catering to businesses of every size looking to streamline their drug testing strategy.

Accredited Drug Testing ensures affordable pricing paired with rapid processing times in Tyler, WA. These qualities provide excellent value, making drug testing accessible and attractive for companies, helping them manage budgets efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and exactness of hair follicle drug tests in Tyler, WA, are unmatched. These tests can precisely discern substance use long before other methods detect it. The combination of speed and accuracy promises reliable results, benefiting both employers and individuals needing assured outcomes.

Employers prioritize tests that provide swift and accurate outcomes. Hair follicle tests assure prompt response times with reliable results, showcasing superior precision in analysis. This advantageous edge grants employers peace of mind regarding drug screening policies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Tyler, WA, find confidence in ensuring compliance and maintaining safety with hair follicle testing. Its comprehensive detection ability mitigates legal risks, supporting their zero-tolerance policies, and assuring a clean, drug-free workplace.

For employers, hair testing in Tyler, WA guarantees adherence to drug-free policies. Its reliability strengthens workplace safety protocols, offering immense peace of mind and reducing potential legal complications significantly.

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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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