Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pimmit Hills, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand, hair furnishes a prolonged timeline of alcohol and other substances. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal up to an approximately 90-day detection span for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, specific add-ons, and tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is recommended. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning represents the initial sample processing into a laboratory’s system. This process encompasses verifying that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that an electronic chain of custody system did not provide.

Screening is a preliminary check for substances of abuse. Screening serves as a cost-effective means to exclude drug use in most samples, yet positive screenings require confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

When a sample yields a presumptive positive result during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for preparation in Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug analysis is considered the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmatory testing of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Before confirmation, all samples with presumptive positive outcomes undergo necessary washing. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designations and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Sustained detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which feature a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to deception: It is exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Reports historical use: It can outline a pattern of substance use over time, beyond immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapability to identify recent consumption: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher costs relative to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth discrepancies can influence the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: While frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests in Pimmit Hills, VA, offer advantages over urine tests, providing superior detection of substance use. The extended detection window and high accuracy make hair testing more reliable for employers needing comprehensive data.

The reliability of hair testing compared to urine tests gives employers peace of mind, ensuring a robust method to screen past drug use effectively.

Extended Detection Window

In Pimmit Hills, VA, hair follicle tests reveal drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing traditional methods. Employers benefit from this extended detection period, gaining a detailed view of an individual's substance history.

This long-term detection allows companies to assess an applicant's drug use over time, reinforcing informed hiring practices and maintaining a safe workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Pimmit Hills, VA, hair follicle testing provides a secure method that minimizes tampering risks, delivering trustworthy results. This testing's robust design ensures that samples remain unaltered for genuine outcomes.

Adopting hair testing assures stakeholders of accurate results free from manipulation, enhancing trust in drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Pimmit Hills, VA benefits from numerous local and nationwide testing centers, offering convenient access to hair testing services. Our well-distributed locations ensure quick and hassle-free drug testing experiences.

The widespread availability of these centers makes it easier for individuals and employers to utilize testing services with ease and efficiency.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Pimmit Hills, VA, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, privacy is maintained, assuring clients of a seamless and discreet experience.

This user-friendly approach addresses concerns about ease of use and confidentiality, making the process straightforward for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and swift turnaround, our hair testing services in Pimmit Hills, VA, offer exceptional value. Companies benefit from our affordable rates, getting excellent service without delay.

The balance of cost-effectiveness and rapid results makes our testing a top choice for businesses looking to manage budgets while ensuring workplace safety effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Pimmit Hills, VA, hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and quick results. Unlike other methods, this test offers high accuracy in identifying drug use, aiding employers in making informed decisions swiftly.

The hair follicle method ensures reliable results that are both fast and trustworthy, proving to be a valuable tool in identifying substance abuse effectively.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pimmit Hills, VA, find reassurance in hair testing, as it aligns with maintaining a drug-free workplace. With its compliance with drug policies, hair testing enhances legal safety and workplace security.

Adopting this method helps employers ensure adherence to regulations while fostering a safe, drug-free 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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