Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sissonville, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. A long-term record of alcohol and drugs is provided by hair, as it captures biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When gathered close to the scalp, hair offers approximately a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the optimum amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale, we suggest measuring the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. Our reference to head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for deriving a drug test result comprises four main phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system, ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly way to eliminate most drug use cases, a conclusive court-admissible result necessitates confirmation of a positive screen. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening mandate a subsequent confirmation.

In instances of presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the primary sample for Extraction. At this stage, drug extraction from hair occurs at notably lower concentrations than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as particularly challenging.

Confirmation of a positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed as required before confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection range.
• Reduced likelihood of evasion: Cheating a hair drug test is notoriously challenging, enhancing the credibility of its results.
• Reveals historical usage: It creates a drug use pattern over time, rather than focusing solely on recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It generally requires 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Higher expense: Hair drug testing usually incurs more costs compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth traits can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While frequently dubbed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand, excluding the hair follicle situated beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Sissonville, WV
Hair follicle tests surpass urine tests in areas such as detection accuracy and reliability. Employers benefit from the extensive detection period hair sampling provides, allowing for a thorough review of an individual's drug history, enhancing workplace safety over more traditional urine tests.

The superior detection window and difficulty in tampering make hair tests a reliable option that outperforms common urine tests, especially for individuals with stringent drug-use policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Sissonville, WV
Hair follicle testing stands out for its extended detection period, up to 90 days, revolutionizing how workplace substance histories are reviewed. This long window is crucial for employers seeking a comprehensive evaluation of past drug activities.

This broad insight helps employers make informed decisions based on an individual's substance use history, offering a panoramic view that urine cannot.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Sissonville, WV
Hair follicle tests dramatically minimize the risk of tampering with samples, ensuring reliable results. The method's inherent design makes it virtually impervious to deceit, offering results that employers can trust.

With hair testing, the certainty in the outcome thrives because the method's structure is inherently resistant to alteration, offering genuine insights into an individual's substance history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Sissonville, WV
The availability of nationwide testing centers, including those in Sissonville, ensures hassle-free, accessible hair testing services wherever needed. The accessibility of these centers promotes a streamlined testing experience for all individuals.

With easily accessible local and national locations, testing becomes a straightforward process, ensuring that individuals and employers can quickly fulfill testing needs without hindrance.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Sissonville, WV
The hair testing process is designed to be both simple and confidential, ensuring privacy at all steps from ordering to receiving results. This emphasis on user-friendly practices addresses and alleviates any privacy concerns.

With a seamless approach, individuals can navigate the testing process with ease, knowing their confidential information remains protected throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sissonville, WV
Our competitive pricing structures ensure great value, while the rapid turnaround times deliver swift and dependable results, perfect for businesses of all sizes seeking peace of mind in drug testing.

Providing economical options while maintaining quick processing times makes hair testing a cost-effective choice, benefiting employers seeking efficient and budget-friendly solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Sissonville, WV
Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled precision and rapid outcomes. The method’s high detection accuracy for drugs ensures that any substance use is noted, offering peace of mind with their reliability. This rapid assessment aids in promptly addressing any concerns related to substance use.

The quick yet thorough evaluation process inherent in hair testing means results are not only rapid but also trustworthy, perfect for those needing timely feedback.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Sissonville, WV
Utilizing hair follicle testing assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, curtailing legal risks and enhancing safety. Knowing their compliance is thorough, employers can focus on maintaining a drug-free environment, supported by this robust testing solution.

Employers gain peace of mind as the hair testing method stands robust against potential policy violations, supporting a safer and more conscientious workplace culture.

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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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