Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Inwood, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a historical record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is collected near the scalp, it can provide a detection period of up to approximately 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands, roughly the diameter of a standard #2 pencil, from near the scalp, yields 100mg, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For expanded panels, like EtG and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale for measuring the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The four essential stages in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves preparing a sample for introduction into a lab's system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary quick assessment for substances of abuse. Although cost-effective in excluding drug usage across most samples, any positive results in Screening need confirmation for legal acceptance. Samples with presumptive positives in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

In cases where a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair from the initial specimen is taken for Extraction. During this step, drugs are isolated from hair in lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), positioning hair drug screening as the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive outcome from Screening is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, surpassing urine tests with shorter periods.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: This method provides a track record of drug use over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Higher cost: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variability in results: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Commonly named "hair follicle tests", the testing process examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superior Detection Accuracy

• Hair testing offers a more accurate detection method compared to traditional urine testing.
• Residents of Inwood, WV often choose hair tests for their reliable and top-notch detection capabilities.

Enhanced Reliability

• With a longer detection window, hair tests provide a comprehensive view of substance use compared to urine tests.
• Employers value hair testing for offering a clearer insight into drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

Comprehensive Drug Use Analysis

• Hair follicle testing offers a long detection period of up to 90 days in Inwood, WV.
• This extensive window allows employers to gain a more complete understanding of an individual’s substance history.

Longer Substance Use Tracking

• Compared to other methods, hair testing captures a longer timeframe of drug use.
• This gives a more thorough picture of an applicant or employee's past drug-related activities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-resistant

• Inwood's hair follicle tests significantly diminish the potential for tampering compared to other methods.
• This ensures that results remain trustworthy and reliable for all parties involved.

Unquestionable Results

• Employers and individuals can rely on hair tests for their integrity and resistance to adulteration.
• Providing reliable results reduces doubts and maintains the test’s credibility.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Access

• With numerous nationwide centers, accessing hair testing in Inwood is swift and effortless.
• Local testing facilities provide ease of access, reducing the stress associated with the process.

Quick and Hassle-free Services

• The abundance of testing locations simplifies the process for organizations and individuals alike.
• Ensuring convenient access to testing services streamlines drug testing procedures for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Private Process

• Conducting hair follicle tests in Inwood ensures a straightforward and discreet procedure.
• The process respects privacy while delivering reliable results to clients.

Confidentiality Assured

• The entire testing process from ordering to receiving results is secure, maintaining privacy.
• Residents can trust that their personal information remains protected throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-effective and Value-driven

• Inwood's hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing structures for all testing needs.
• Businesses enjoy affordable pricing while maintaining the high reliability of results.

Quick Turnaround and Assurance

• With prompt result delivery, clients receive timely insights ensuring efficient decision-making.
• The combination of affordability and rapid results provides peace of mind for companies of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Precise Testing

• Hair follicle tests are known for their efficiency and reliability, ensuring rapid and accurate results.
• Inwood's residents trust hair tests for their swiftness in identifying substance use, making them a preferred choice for drug testing.

High Accuracy in Drug Detection

• Offering unparalleled precision, hair tests can detect traces of drugs that may be missed by other testing types.
• The capability to ensure trustworthy results makes hair testing a valuable resource for employers in Inwood.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Drug-free Workplace Compliance

• Hair follicle testing aids Inwood employers in maintaining compliance with drug-free policies.
• Reducing legal risks, it enhances workplace safety and provides peace of mind.

Reassuring Employers

• Hair testing ensures policies are being followed diligently, minimizing drug-related incidents.
• Employers can rest assured knowing that their drug-free initiatives are being upheld.

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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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