Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Newington, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now widely regarded as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When cut close to the scalp, hair can provide up to a three-month detection window for both alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of roughly 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Our reference to head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the preliminary processing stage of integrating a sample into a laboratory's system. This phase ensures the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid analysis for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, any positive result in the screen needs confirmation for legal validity. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening need further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at far lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is more complex to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests have the capability to identify drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter timeframe.
• Challenging to fake: Hair drug tests are tough to compromise, leading to more reliable results.
• Documents historical usage: They can reveal a drug usage pattern over time, not just recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot indicate recent usage: There is a lag of about 5-7 days before drugs are detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs more cost than other testing methods.
• Discrepancies in findings: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Tests Excel in Newington, VA. Hair follicle testing outperforms conventional urine tests with its enhanced detection scope and dependability. Unlike urine screenings, which have a shorter detection window, hair tests provide a wider retrospective insight, identifying drug use with remarkable acumen and reducing opportunities for errors.

Extended Detection Window

Comprehensive Detection Span in Newington, VA. Hair follicle assessments cover a prolonged detection range, identifying drug use history up to 90 days prior. This extensive timeline empowers employers with a deeper examination of a subject's substance use patterns beyond short-term assessments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Approach in Newington, VA. Hair follicle assays are significantly resistant to manipulation, ensuring the integrity and dependability of results. By minimizing the chance of tampering, these tests safeguard against adulteration and boost confidence in the test's authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Easily Accessible Testing Sites in Newington, VA. Our expansive network of testing facilities offers simple access to drug screening services, speeding up the process and lessening inconveniences for individuals and corporations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Private Process in Newington, VA. The straightforward mechanism for initiating, completing, and receiving hair follicle test outcomes ensures privacy and eases concerns, focusing on confidentiality and simplicity for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Rates and Prompt Results in Newington, VA. Our pricing is structured to be resourceful yet budget-friendly, promising swift turnaround times that deliver excellent value and stability across diverse organizational scales.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Precise Accomplishments in Newington, VA. Hair follicle screenings promise rapid and reliable results. The technology ensures precise detection of drug habits, presenting a high level of accuracy that is unmatched. This speed coupled with data reliability makes them an excellent choice for individuals and organizations that demand immediate and trustworthy outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employer Assurance and Compliance in Newington, VA. Incorporating hair follicle screenings assures compliance with drug-free operational mandates, mitigating legal liabilities and promoting a safer workplace environment for all employees.

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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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