Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dublin, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for uncovering alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the hair's fibers as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is easy, fairly hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) cut closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for thorough screening and verification. For EtG, additional requirements, and/or examinations above 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If no scalp hair is available, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hairy regions (face, armpits, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial handling of a sample within the lab’s framework. This step confirms that the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any further data input absent in an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening refers to an initial swift analysis for substances. This method is cost-efficient for dismissing drug presence in most samples; however, a positive result requires further confirmation for legal credibility. All samples preliminarily positive during Screening must undergo an additional confirmation step.

If a sample is preliminarily positive in the Screening phase, more hair is separated from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug analysis is among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive need to be washed before confirmation as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace substance use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which exhibit a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, ensuring the results' integrity.
• Delivers historical insights: It can depict a substance usage pattern over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair in about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are often pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variations in outcomes: Aspects like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Dublin, VA, offers many benefits over urine testing. While traditional urine tests can detect recent usage, they often miss longer-term patterns. Conversely, hair tests cover up to three months of drug history, providing superior accuracy and reliability in detection.

Designed to outshine traditional methods, hair testing provides unmatched detection capability. Employers find this reassuring, thanks to their effectiveness in showcasing consistent usage patterns, unlike urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Dublin, VA, provide an extended detection window unrivaled by other test types. Capturing up to 90 days of drug use history, they offer employers comprehensive insight into an individual's substance habits over time.

This extensive time frame makes hair tests invaluable for those needing deeper understanding of employee behavior over months, significantly influencing informed decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Dublin, VA, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant solution to drug screening. Minimizing the risk of sample adulteration, these tests supply reliable results, giving confidence to employers seeking accurate substance use assessments.

The test's robust nature ensures its authenticity, eliminating many common cheating methods seen with other tests, securing the integrity of results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a network of facilities, testing in Dublin, VA, becomes convenient and accessible. Nationwide locations ensure quick and hassle-free access, allowing for seamless integration into everyday needs.

• Local facilities: Offer personalized services.
• National coverage: Ensures uniform standards everywhere.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Dublin, VA, experience a simple and confidential process ordering and receiving hair follicle test results. Prioritizing user privacy, tests provide unambiguous outcomes without persisting concerns, emphasizing customer comfort.

With easy-to-follow procedures, users can confidently navigate these services, supported by a design focused on user-friendliness and transparency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hair follicle testing in Dublin, VA, offers affordable pricing with a rapid turnaround. Keeping costs competitive, it provides excellent value for companies. Fast result times cater to dynamic business demands.Providing value, hair tests pair budget-friendly solutions with timely responses, accommodating various business sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dublin, VA, hair follicle testing delivers fast and accurate results. Detecting substance use efficiently, these tests far surpass traditional methods with their precision. The quick timing from collection to results ensures timely assessments, upholding their reputation for reliability and accuracy.

With unrivaled speed, hair testing stands out in the industry. Its methodical approach guarantees users receive thorough results promptly, meeting time-sensitive demands and deadlines.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing in Dublin, VA, ensures employers maintain compliance and peace of mind. With shredded legal risks and a strengthened drug-free policy, employers safeguard both company interests and employee safety effectively.

Enhancing workplace safety, these tests solidify employers' roles in maintaining a secure and compliant work environment, providing reassurances to both employees and stakeholders.

Drug Testing Near Dublin, VA

Mechanicsburg, VA

Riner, VA

Eggleston, VA

Prices Fork, VA

Allisonia, VA

Belview, VA

Hiwassee, VA

Snowville, VA

Parrott, VA

Belspring, VA

Fairlawn, VA

Radford, VA

New River, VA

Pulaski, VA

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews