Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hartfield, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The hair captures a prolonged record of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, a hair sample can present a detection span of up to three months for drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for testing and verification. For EtG, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is missing, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we are referring explicitly to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (beard, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the step where a sample is initially processed into the lab system. This process includes ensuring the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary check for drug substances. Although Screening offers a cost-effective method for ruling out drug use across most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples perceived as positive during Screening need additional confirmation.

When Screening suggests a positive result, more hair is extracted from the sample and set for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair in much lower concentrations than through other methods (such as urine or saliva). This is why hair drug testing is considered a challenging method.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples indicated as positive are cleaned before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can discover drug usage for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests with shorter detection times.
• Hard to manipulate: The complexity of altering hair test results makes them more reliable.
• Historical insight: It offers a history of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Hartfield, VA, hair follicle testing is emerging as a preferred method over traditional urine testing. While urine tests detect recent substance use, hair tests offer a broader detection timeline, capturing a history of up to 90 days. This provides a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance usage, ensuring higher accuracy and robust results.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Hartfield, VA, benefit from hair follicle testing as it extends the detection window of substance usage to 90 days, offering a thorough view of an employee's history. This type of testing surpasses other methods, empowering employers to make informed decisions based on detailed drug use insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Hartfield, VA, hair follicle tests are recognized for their resistance to tampering, ensuring valid and secure results. Unlike other testing methods that may be susceptible to adulteration, hair tests maintain integrity, providing trustworthy results that are crucial for maintaining high testing standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With conveniently located testing sites throughout Hartfield, VA and nationwide, accessing our services is seamless and efficient. Our extensive network ensures you have quick and easy access to reliable drug testing services, minimizing stress for individuals and organizations alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of conducting a hair follicle test in Hartfield, VA, is straightforward and preserves privacy. Ordering, taking, and receiving results is designed to be effortless while ensuring confidentiality, ultimately providing peace of mind to those involved in the testing procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Hartfield, VA, our competitive pricing and fast results turnaround make hair follicle testing a cost-effective solution. We provide excellent value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes, emphasizing quick delivery without compromising on quality or reliability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Hartfield, VA, are praised for their superior accuracy and quick result delivery. Their ability to accurately detect a wide range of substances makes them a preferred choice over traditional methods. The precise nature of hair analysis ensures that results are dependable and timely, significantly aiding in informed decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Hartfield, VA, helps employers adhere to workplace drug-free policies. This method minimizes legal risks, enhancing workplace safety, and nurturing peace of mind for both employers and employees. Hair testing's superiority in compliance assurance is unmatched.

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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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