Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Matewan, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is acknowledged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains biomarkers within its strands, providing an extensive history of alcohol and drug use. Sampling hair near the scalp offers approximately a 3-month detection window for these substances. The collection process is straightforward, resisting tampering and is easy to transport.

To obtain an optimal sample size for analysis and confirmation, a 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) from near the scalp is required, totaling around 100mg of hair. For EtG, additional panels, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Weighing the specimen using a jeweler's scale is suggested. If scalp hair isn't available, body hair, in an equivalent quantity, can be substituted. "Head hair" pertains exclusively to scalp hair, while "body hair" covers other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result consists of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the sample's initial integration into a lab system. It involves ensuring the integrity of the sample's seal and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) randomly, and completing any additional data input not covered by electronic chain of custody systems.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it succeeds in cost-efficiently excluding drug usage in many samples, a positive result in Screening warrants confirmation to be court-eligible. Samples displaying presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate auxiliary confirmation.

Upon a positive indication in Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen for Extraction. Drugs are extracted at lower concentrations from hair than alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are washed pre-confirmation as necessary. The complete lab sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation, aligned with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests reveal drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter window.
• Reduced ability to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Chronological data provision: Identifies a drug use pattern over time, rather than merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically appear in hair after 5-7 days.
• Higher expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence metabolite concentration.

Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Comparing to urine tests, hair follicle testing in Matewan, WV surpasses with superior detection capabilities and consistency. Hair testing offers more reliable insights, especially in identifying long-term substance use, hence preferred for comprehensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing excels in offering an extended detection window, up to 90 days, in Matewan, WV. This capability allows employers to obtain a more thorough profile of a candidate or an employee's drug history, aiding informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing significantly minimizes the threat of sample tampering in Matewan, WV. Due to its distinct collection process, it provides results that are trustworthy and resistant to adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing centers throughout Matewan, WV and beyond ensures that accessing drug testing services is both simple and hassle-free, covering a broad area for convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The procedure for hair follicle testing in Matewan, WV is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and making the process seamless from order to results delivery.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Matewan, WV, competitive pricing models and swift turnaround times position hair follicle testing as a cost-effective solution. Companies of all sizes benefit from the excellent value and assurance it provides.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Matewan, WV, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and meticulousness. This method ensures high precision and rapid results, making it an invaluable tool for detecting substance use with outstanding accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Matewan, WV benefit from utilizing hair follicle testing to assure compliance with drug-free regulations. This approach diminishes legal exposure and contributes to a secure working 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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