Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Rupert, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair screening is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term records of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of an elongating hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer nearly up to a 3-month detection window for alcohol and other substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

A specimen with a length of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. When discussing head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures in processing a drug test result involve four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers an economical approach to dismiss drug use across most samples, a satisfactory screen requires confirmation for courtroom acceptability. Samples that show a presumptive positive in Screening mandate secondary verification.

Upon detecting a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a lesser concentration than alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening among the most challenging techniques to execute.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive result undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter detection window of urine tests.
• Difficult to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceptionally difficult, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It can showcase a trend of drug use over a span of time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Choose Hair Testing? Hair follicle testing in Rupert, WV, surpasses urine tests with unmatched detection precision and reliability. Hair tests excel in highlighting a longer history of drug use, contrary to the limited timeframe captured by urine tests. Their high accuracy levels are particularly advantageous for employers aiming for a resilient, drug-free workplace environment, ensuring more rigorous screening standards.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window is a paramount advantage of hair follicle testing in Rupert, WV. This testing method allows the identification of substances up to 90 days after use, enabling employers to assess an individual's drug use comprehensively. Such long-term visibility affords a deeper understanding of not just recent, but also historical drug utilization, essential for thorough substance history evaluation.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant techniques are a standout feature of hair follicle testing in Rupert, WV. This testing significantly lowers the incidents of sample tampering, guaranteeing dependable and indisputable findings. Its robust nature makes it exceedingly challenging to adulterate, aligning with regulatory requirements for unbiased test results and enhancing trust in its substantiated outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing is part of our offering in Rupert, WV, making testing services easily accessible across all locations. Our expansive network of testing centers ensures quick and seamless service, minimizing disruption and streamlining the process. Regardless of location, acquiring timely and comprehensive test services is straightforward and hassle-free for all individuals in need.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Process defines our hair follicle testing procedures in Rupert, WV. From order placement to test completion, every step ensures privacy and user-friendliness. Our straightforward approach calms privacy concerns, with discreet handling right from scheduling to result retrieval, catering specifically to the concerns for confidentiality and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing accompanies our hair follicle testing services in Rupert, WV. With a competitive pricing structure, alongside fast turnaround times, we offer significant value to businesses of all scales. Swift result delivery combined with cost-effectiveness assures companies of a high return on investment, reinforcing peace of mind and operational efficiency in drug testing programs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results are guaranteed with hair follicle drug testing in Rupert, WV. The method's precision and speed in identifying substance use underline its superiority. Hair tests deliver reliable results swiftly, maximizing accuracy and offering substantial insights into an individual's drug use patterns. This efficiency makes them preferable for urgent requirements where timeliness and exactness in results are critical.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind are ensured for employers in Rupert, WV, who embrace hair follicle testing. This method aids in adhering to workplace drug-free guidelines, mitigating legal risks, and enhancing safety protocols. By choosing hair testing, organizations reinforce their commitment to a secure and compliant work environment, protecting both business interests and employee welfare effectively.

Drug Testing Near Rupert, WV

Nettie, WV

New Richmond, WV

Frankford, WV

Meadow Creek, WV

Alderson, WV

Nallen, WV

Clifftop, WV

Trout, WV

Asbury, WV

Meadow Bridge, WV

Clearco, WV

Clintonville, WV

Quinwood, WV

Rainelle, WV

Mill Creek, WV

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews