Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Trammel, VA

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair provides a comprehensive timeline of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as it grows. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month period for detecting drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to gather, relatively challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 strands of hair (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for testing and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If head hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses any other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary procedures in laboratory processing for drug test results are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes ensuring the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not included by a digital chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary fast assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective approach to exclude drug usage in a majority of cases, any positive screen needs confirmation to be credible in a court setting. Samples that are preliminarily positive in Screening must have a secondary confirmation.

If a sample tests preliminary positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for preparation in the Extraction phase. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging method.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test preliminary positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Difficult to tamper: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, making the findings more reliable.
• Reveals usage patterns: It can show a pattern of drug use over an extended period, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot reveal recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

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

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over urine testing in Trammel, VA. Among its benefits, it provides a longer detection window and higher accuracy. Hair tests reduce the possibility of tampering and offer a more reliable timeline of substance use. With longer detection periods, hair tests give a more comprehensive substance use history, making them superior for accurate assessments.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Trammel, VA, offers a comprehensive view into an individual's substance use history. With the ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days, employers can make informed decisions based on a detailed account of an employee or applicant's behavior. This lengthy detection period provides insights far beyond the capabilities of standard urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Trammel, VA, stands out for its tamper-resistant nature. The test significantly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, reassuring users of its reliability. Its resilience against tampering makes it an invaluable tool for those seeking unquestionable results and high levels of testing integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a vast network of testing locations nationwide, including those in Trammel, VA, our services are easily accessible. The convenience of our centers offers quick and hassle-free testing processes. Whether locally or across the country, our testing locations ensure seamless access to essential drug testing services for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of undergoing hair follicle testing in Trammel, VA, is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, testing, and receiving results follows an easily navigable path, maintaining privacy and ease of use. Our procedures prioritize user comfort, ensuring an effortless and secure experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Trammel, VA, benefits from our affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. These features provide excellent value for organizations of all sizes. By offering competitive pricing structures combined with quick delivery of results, we support businesses in maintaining both financial and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Trammel, VA, hair follicle drug tests deliver both fast and precise results. This method allows for quick and efficient detection of substances, ensuring timely and accurate outcomes. The brilliance of hair testing lies in its ability to detect drug use more reliably than other methods, providing individuals and organizations with trustworthy information they can depend on.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Trammel, VA, brings employers the benefit of compliance and peace of mind. By aligning with drug-free workplace policies, hair tests reduce legal risks and bolster workplace safety. This approach ensures that both employers and employees can thrive in a secure and drug-free environment.

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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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