Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Chatham, VA

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing is acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as an archive of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the hair as it grows. When samples are obtained near the scalp, they offer a detection period of up to around 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, difficult to tamper with, and facilitates easy transportation.

To obtain a sample, cut a segment measuring 1.5 inches long, with approximately 200 strands (about the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, and this will result in 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for initial testing and verification. For EtG, extended panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the specimen. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is suggested. When scalp hair is not accessible, a similar volume of body hair can be used. When we discuss head hair, it's specifically related to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The key phases in laboratory analysis of drug testing include: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the primary step of processing a sample into the lab’s framework. This process ensures the sample’s integrity during sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data input that an electronic chain of custody may not cover.

Screening is an expedient preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. It is an economical means to eliminate negative results in most samples, yet a positive screening demands verification for legal acceptability. Any samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For samples presumed positive at Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original sample for Extraction. The process entails retrieving drugs from the hair at much lower concentrations relative to other methods (like urine or saliva), underscoring the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of a positive screening arises through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Washing of samples presumed positive is conducted before confirmation if required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug examinations can reveal drug consumption up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests offering a briefer detection span.
• High resistance to deception: It's exceptionally challenging to falsify a hair drug evaluation, ensuring heightened accuracy of results.
• Provides usage history: It captures a timeline of substance abuse, rather than recent usage alone.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: An estimated 5-7 days might be needed for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be more costly compared to other methods of drug testing.
• Variable outcomes: The results might be influenced by hair color and personal hair growth differences affecting drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair shaft rather than the follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Chatham, VA
When comparing hair tests with traditional urine tests, hair analysis offers superior detection capabilities. Hair tests provide reliability and precision over a much longer detection period, and unlike urine tests, they secure a more accurate view of substance use history, reducing the likelihood of cheating during testing.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Chatham, VA
Hair follicle testing presents a much longer detection span of up to 90 days, making it an excellent choice for employers. This prolonged window allows them to accurately evaluate an individual's past substance use, offering a comprehensive overview that other testing methods may not capture.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Chatham, VA
Hair follicle tests are a tamper-proof method of detecting substances. By significantly lowering the risk of adulteration, these tests offer results that are both reliable and unquestionable. This anti-tampering nature enhances trust in the test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Chatham, VA
With numerous testing centers located nationwide, accessing drug testing services becomes quick and easy. Our centers offer convenience with hassle-free procedures, making it seamless for individuals to undergo testing anywhere, including Chatham, VA.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Chatham, VA
Our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and maintains confidentiality. We prioritize privacy, guiding individuals through seamless steps from ordering the test to receiving results, thus ensuring ease of use without compromising personal data.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Chatham, VA
Our competitive pricing structures and speedy turnaround make hair follicle testing both affordable and efficient. This combination offers excellent value for companies, providing peace of mind and quick responses to their testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Chatham, VA
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and precision in capturing substance use. In contrast to other methods, their remarkable accuracy ensures that results are both fast and reliable. This high level of accuracy makes them a top choice for detecting drugs, providing peace of mind regarding the outcome's dependability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Chatham, VA
Utilizing hair follicle drug testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, allowing employers to reduce legal risks and enhance the safety of their work environment. This testing method provides peace of mind by upholding company standards and regulations.

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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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