Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Schuyler, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of growing hair. When sourced near the scalp, hair offers up to a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests that exceed 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. When we mention head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all other hair types (such as facial and axillary).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning encompasses the primary processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This involves ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen must be validated for court admissibility. Samples that appear positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a sample tests positive during Screening, more hair is sourced from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is exceptionally challenging to conduct.

Validation of any positive screening result occurs through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a reduced detection period.
• Cheating difficulty: It is exceedingly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more reliable results.
• Delivers historical data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Costly: Hair drug tests are typically more expensive than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variances: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Schuyler, VA
Unlike traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing in Schuyler offers superior detection capabilities, making it a formidable choice for substance testing across professional settings. Hair testing is harder to tamper with and covers a longer detection period, providing a more thorough account of an individual’s drug history.

Employers often choose hair tests over urine for their precision and near-impossibility to deceive. As a result, they gain a more accurate insight into the substance habits of their employees or candidates.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Schuyler, VA
Hair follicle testing covers substance use for up to 90 days, providing a detailed and extended overview of a person’s drug usage history. This is crucial for employers in Schuyler, VA seeking to understand long-term behaviors and make informed hiring decisions.

With this extended period, hair tests give companies a comprehensive picture, revealing patterns that might otherwise be missed with shorter-term tests like urine, aligning with long-term drug-free policy goals.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Schuyler, VA
Hair follicle tests present a nearly tamper-proof testing option. Unlike urine tests, which can be manipulated, hair tests are much harder to adulterate, offering trustworthy and credible results.

In Schuyler, VA, utilizing hair tests ensures that employers receive genuine data on substance use, safeguarding the integrity of the testing process and making it a preferred alternative to other methods.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Schuyler, VA
Accredited Drug Testing provides nationwide testing centers, making it simple for residents of Schuyler and beyond to access services. This wide network facilitates easy, convenient testing for individuals and companies alike.

From local Schuyler facilities to nationwide centers, our comprehensive reach ensures that testing solutions are accessible, prioritizing user convenience and efficiency across diverse locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Schuyler, VA
Our hair follicle testing process ensures simplicity and confidentiality, guaranteeing client privacy from ordering to result delivery. This approach in Schuyler allows peace of mind to all participants, addressing any privacy concerns.

The straightforward procedure ensures that individuals and companies receive their outcomes securely, understanding that their testing information is handled with the utmost confidentiality and ease.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Schuyler, VA
In Schuyler, we pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, ensuring businesses of all sizes receive great value. Our services remain accessible without compromising on the quality of results.

Quick and efficient, hair testing allows for rapid decision-making while maintaining cost-effectiveness, aiding companies to manage their testing needs within budget while receiving premium service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Schuyler, VA
Hair follicle drug testing is known for its quick and precise outcomes. The method ensures high accuracy, clearly identifying substance use across a broad spectrum. This reliability and speed make it a preferred choice for employers, satisfying their need for trustworthy results.

In Schuyler, VA, conducting hair testing offers an edge in detecting recent and past substance use, aiding employers in maintaining a drug-free working environment. The efficiency of this test means rapid results, essential for timely decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Schuyler, VA
Employers benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring adherence to workplace drug policies. Offering peace of mind, it reduces legal risks, supporting a safe and compliant work environment.

In Schuyler, VA, the accurate and detailed results from hair testing help businesses maintain regulatory compliance and foster a secure workplace, reinforcing their commitment to employee wellbeing and safety.

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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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