Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Surry, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now viewed as an effective means for tracking drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains an extended history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to gather, relatively resistant to adulteration, and simple to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplemental tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. References to head hair mean scalp hair alone, while body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a specimen within a laboratory's system. This step includes ensuring the specimen was properly sealed and dispatched, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. While it's a cost-efficient strategy to exclude drug usage in the majority of samples, a positive screening result needs confirmation to be said to be court-admissible. Any samples that show possible positive results in Screening require an additional confirmation.

If a sample is suggestively positive in the Screening phase, more hair is retrieved from the initial sample for the Extraction step. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring why hair drug screening is among the more challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all provisional positive samples are cleansed as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning through Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guideline and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeline.
• Hard to manipulate: It's quite challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Yields temporal data: It offers a timeline of drug consumption, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair around 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more compared to alternative drug testing methods.
• Diverse results: Factors such as hair hue and individual growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the evaluation actually examines the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In the context of drug testing in Surry, VA, hair follicle testing stands out against traditional urine testing. Its superior detection capabilities make it a viable choice with unmatched reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair tests cover a longer detection window, capturing a comprehensive insight into an individual's drug use. It's the accuracy in which these tests identify substances that sets them apart.

Extended Detection Window

In Surry, VA, hair follicle testing has an extended detection window of up to 90 days. Unlike other forms of testing, this method allows for a thorough examination of a person’s drug use over a more extended period, offering employers insightful information about an individual’s substance history. This approach ensures a broader view, far exceeding the limitations of shorter-term detection methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests ensures integrity in Surry, VA. This test significantly lessens the chance of adulterating samples, offering results that are both reliable and incontrovertible. Such assurances mean that stakeholders can trust the data provided, knowing it represents an accurate account uncontaminated by external influences or manipulations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our convenient testing locations across the nation, including Surry, VA, enable ease of access for all testing services. The network ensures quick, efficient, and stress-free testing, making the process as straightforward as possible. This broad reach guarantees that clients can always find a nearby center, thus simplifying the often cumbersome logistics of undergoing a drug test.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Surry, VA, the hair follicle testing process is simple and entirely confidential. It addresses privacy concerns while remaining user-friendly from ordering to taking the test, all the way through to receiving results. Whether individuals or organizations, everyone values the discreet nature of this process, which prioritizes client confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer affordable pricing and a fast turnaround for hair follicle tests in Surry, VA. Our competitive pricing structure ensures excellent value, catering to companies of all sizes. Coupled with quick result delivery, our services guarantee both fiscal prudence and operational efficiency, meeting the needs of our diverse clientele base.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Surry, VA, is known for its speed and accuracy. It swiftly delivers precise results, making it a preferred choice for many. The high accuracy in identifying substance use provides assured results that one can trust. This meticulous testing method ensures no detail is overlooked, benefiting both employers and employees by providing a reliable evaluation of substance history.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Surry, VA, using hair follicle testing ensures both compliance and peace of mind. By adhering to workplace drug-free mandates, companies can reduce legal exposures and foster a safer working environment. The adoption of such testing helps in maintaining a repository of best practices when it comes to workplace safety standards and regulations.

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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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