Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brambleton, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strand, offering a long-term record of substance use. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug presence over an approximate period of 3 months. It's easy to collect, relatively tamper-resistant, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation tests. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is advised. If scalp hair is not accessible, a similar quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing drug test results comprises four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab system. The process involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing data entry tasks not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary and quick assessment for commonly abused drugs. Although screening is a cost-efficient method for eliminating drug use in most samples, court-admissible results require confirmation of positive screenings. Presumptive positives in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

Upon a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is withdrawn from the original sample for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at concentrations much lower than other methodologies (e.g. urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening is the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives are cleansed pre-confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is thoroughly reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical data: It represents a drug usage trend over a set period, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs are detectable in hair typically after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth variances can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing lies in its ability to offer superior detection accuracy and reliability in Brambleton, VA. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing provides a longer detection window and nearly eliminates the risk of tampering, ensuring more dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window makes hair follicle testing advantageous for understanding an individual's substance use history. In Brambleton, VA, it provides a comprehensive view by identifying drug use over as long as 90 days, helping employers gain insights into an employee's past substance activities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method is a key benefit of using hair follicle tests, especially in Brambleton, VA. This method significantly reduces risks associated with sample adulteration, ensuring reliable and unquestionable outcomes for drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations ensure that getting a drug test is quick and hassle-free in Brambleton, VA. With centers spread across the nation, accessing these testing services becomes straightforward, offering ease and convenience for all customers.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process is what makes hair testing in Brambleton, VA, stand out. The straightforward protocol for ordering, testing, and receiving results respects privacy, providing users with confidence in the seamless nature of the process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround are hallmarks of hair follicle testing services in Brambleton, VA. Clients gain excellent value not just for the competitive pricing but also for the rapid results that cater to businesses of varying sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are important factors when choosing a drug testing method in Brambleton, VA. Hair follicle tests stand out due to their high precision in detecting substance use. Their speedy results make them a favored option, providing both accuracy and quickness in identifying drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers can be achieved through hair follicle testing in Brambleton, VA. This testing assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal concerns and contributing to a safer working environment.

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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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