Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mathews, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. The hair retains a prolonged record of substances by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe of up to about 90 days for substances and alcohol. Hair collection is easy, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

A sample sized at 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, ideal for both initial testing and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. It is encouraged to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair might be collected. "Head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair. All other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.) are classified as body hair.

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab process of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This process ensures that the sample is properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional information not provided by an electronic system for tracking custody.

Screening encompasses an initial rapid narcotic check. Although Screening is a financially efficient method for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive result requires validation to be considered in legal settings. Samples suggested positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample be deemed possibly positive in the Screening phase, more hair is retrieved from the original sample for Preparation. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which accounts for the complexity of hair drug testing.

Positive results from Screening undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are purified before Confirmation as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the authorization to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can identify substance use for up to 90 days, whereas urine analyses have a confined detection period.
• Challenging to circumvent: Cheating a hair drug analysis is quite difficult, which enhances the accuracy of outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It delivers a timeline of drug use over a duration, rather than just recent activity.

Challenges:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses typically cost more compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

• In Mathews, VA, hair follicle tests provide superior detection over traditional urine tests.
• The accuracy and reliability of hair testing are unmatched, identifying drug use with precision.

Extended Detection Period
The ability to trace substance use over 90 days gives a comprehensive analysis that surpasses the usual timeframe of urine tests.

Unparalleled Reliability
This method offers a nearly foolproof collection process, ensuring dependable results every assessment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window

• Hair follicle testing in Mathews, VA can trace drug use for up to 90 days, providing a broader overview of an individual's history.

Comprehensive Substance History
Employers benefit from a detailed analysis of an applicant or employee's past substance use, essential for maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Long-Term Insight
This extensive detection period offers a more substantial look into a person's activities compared to traditional methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

• In Mathews, VA, hair follicle tests provide a tamperproof option, drastically lowering the risk of sample tampering.

Unquestionable Integrity
With hair testing, the collection process is secure, ensuring the results remain free from manipulation.

Reliable Verification
The structure of hair tests guarantees the production of authentic outcomes that stand up to scrutiny.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations

• Accredited Drug Testing has centers widely available, making testing in Mathews, VA quick and effortless.

Local Accessibility and Convenience
With local facilities, you have hassle-free access to necessary testing services whenever required.

Nationwide Network
In addition to local sites, our extensive network ensures you can find a testing center near you with ease.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process

• The process in Mathews, VA, is designed to be straightforward, ensuring ease of use and privacy.

Easy Ordering and Results
Our procedure allows for simple ordering and swift receipt of results, maintaining confidentiality throughout.

Privacy Assured
The entire process is crafted to keep your personal information protected, giving peace of mind while obtaining necessary tests.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

• In Mathews, VA, our services are competitively priced, offering excellent value for businesses of varied sizes.

Quick Turnaround
The rapid processing times ensure you receive results without delay, pivotal for making timely business decisions.

Value and Peace of Mind
This affordable pricing structure allows companies to maintain drug testing without burdening their budget.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

• Hair follicle drug tests in Mathews, VA, stand out for their remarkable speed and precision, accurately identifying substance use.
• These tests offer high accuracy, setting them apart from traditional methods.

Speed Meets Accuracy
The rapid turnaround time ensures swift results, allowing you to make informed decisions promptly.

Reliability in Every Test
With hair testing, the process is meticulous, guaranteeing trustworthy and clear outcomes every time.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

• Employers in Mathews, VA, benefit greatly from hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies.

Reducing Legal Risks
By employing hair tests, businesses can significantly diminish legal liabilities associated with drug use among employees.

Enhancing Workplace Safety
With this method, employers can create safer work environments, contributing to both compliance and security.

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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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