Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cassville, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying substance use related to drugs and alcohol. The strands of hair encapsulate a lengthy record of chemicals by capturing identifiers within the threads of the developing hair shaft. Hair, when cut near the scalp, can reveal evidence of alcohol and other substances over a span of roughly three months. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, resistant to tampering, and convenient for transportation.

A section of hair measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 strands (equivalent to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for evaluation and verification. For EtG, supplement tests, or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, an equivalent portion of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair denotes all additional types (like facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test outcome comprises four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning requires initial handling of a specimen by a lab’s infrastructure. This step ensures the sample was accurately sealed and dispatched, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any lacking data entry aside from what an electronic chain of custody provides.

Screening serves as a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. Although Screening economically eliminates drug use in the majority of cases, any positive findings must undergo confirmation for legal acceptability. All specimens shown positive during Screening necessitate further verification.

In the case of a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. At this juncture, substances are isolated from hair at ratios significantly lower than other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), explaining why hair analysis is the most challenging method to execute.

Any positive assessments from Screening are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing as warranted before confirmation. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the comprehensive lab procedures are inspected under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair analysis can reveal drug intake for as long as 90 days, unlike urine testing, which detects drugs within a shorter timeframe.
• Resistance to manipulation: It is exceedingly challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result reliability.
• Sequential usage record: It provides a history of substance use spanning time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: About 5-7 days are necessary for substances to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair testing tends to be pricier than other methods for drug evaluation.
• Result inconsistencies: Variables like hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair growth can sway drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cassville, WV
Hair follicle tests offer numerous advantages over traditional urine tests, notably in detecting drug use over longer periods. While urine tests can focus on recent use, hair tests effectively trace drug intake over months, providing comprehensive insights and superior accuracy for employers and professionals needing reliable results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Cassville, WV
One of the critical benefits of hair follicle testing is its extensive detection range—up to 90 days. For employers, this means a more detailed assessment of an individual's drug usage history, offering a level of scrutiny that short-term tests, such as urine tests, cannot match.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle drug tests in Cassville present a robust solution to tampering issues. The nature of the test makes it difficult to alter or cheat the results, ensuring employers receive authentic, unadulterated outcomes. This reliability is paramount for organizations that prioritize a drug-free environment.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Accredited Drug Testing boasts a network of nationwide centers that simplify accessing testing services. This extends to local sites in Cassville, where individuals and employers can conveniently utilize our services for quick and efficient hair follicle drug testing with minimal hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
Our hair follicle testing in Cassville is designed to ensure a smooth, confidential experience. From the moment you order a test to when you receive the results, the process is crafted to protect privacy and provide ease of use, reassuring individuals and employers alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
We understand the importance of value and efficiency, which is why our hair follicle testing services in Cassville are competitively priced. Coupled with rapid turnaround times, our offerings deliver exceptional benefits to companies of varying sizes, without compromising quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results in Cassville, WV
Hair follicle drug testing provides rapid and precise results, ensuring that substance detection is not only quick but also highly reliable. Employers can confidently rely on the accuracy of these tests in Cassville, as they provide a clear picture of an individual's substance use history, making them ideal for workplace screening.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in Cassville, WV, benefit significantly from the compliance hair follicle testing brings. It not only helps maintain drug-free workplace policies but also minimizes legal risk. Knowing that the testing method is thorough and precise provides peace of mind while promoting a safer work 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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