Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Squire, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through the capture of biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand, hair delivers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer approximately a 3-month detection range for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.

A 1.5-inch sample of about 200 hair strands (akin to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels beyond 10, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent volume of body hair may be obtained. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages included in the laboratory's drug test processing encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the introductory processing of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This step involves ensuring that the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening pertains to an initial rapid testing for drug abuse. While it serves as a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug usage among most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation for positive screening outcomes is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed appropriately before confirmation. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is monitored under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Challenge to deceive: Hair drug tests are particularly hard to circumvent, thus rendering the results more reliable.
• Provision of historical data: They can illustrate a timeline of drug use, revealing patterns beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapability of detecting recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to be noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Usually, hair drug tests are more costly than other drug testing methodologies.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Often dubbed as "hair follicle tests", these tests actually examine the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Squire, WV
Hair follicle testing provides a superior alternative to traditional urine tests, offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window of hair tests means up to 90 days of substance use can be reviewed, providing a comprehensive overview that urine tests cannot match. This accuracy serves employers by providing reliable evaluations of potential and current employees.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Squire, WV
When it comes to detecting drug use, hair follicle testing provides a significant advantage with a detection period spanning up to 90 days. This extended window supports employers in gaining a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee’s substance history, facilitating more informed hiring and retention decisions that contribute to a drug-free workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Squire, WV
Hair follicle tests are inherently more secure than other testing methods due to their tamper-resistant nature. These tests minimize the risk of sample adulteration, providing results that are both reliable and indisputable. This level of security offers a higher level of trust in the testing process and its outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Squire, WV
Our extensive network of testing centers ensures that both nationwide and local locations in Squire, WV are accessible. This accessibility means quick, effortless, and hassle-free testing services, making it easier for businesses and individuals to engage in professional substance testing without logistical complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Squire, WV
Our testing process in Squire, WV is designed to be straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns and ensuring ease of use. From ordering the test to receiving results, every step is streamlined for user convenience, providing a discreet and efficient service that upholds client confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Squire, WV
We pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times in Squire, WV. The value provided through our services ensures peace of mind for businesses of all sizes, allowing them to manage substance use assessments efficiently without burdening their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Squire, WV
Hair follicle drug tests offer exceptional precision and swiftness in detecting substance use, making them an invaluable tool for employers seeking accurate information. The high accuracy of hair testing ensures that results are dependable, providing a solid basis for making personnel decisions and maintaining workplace integrity.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Squire, WV
Implementing hair follicle testing in the workplace is a proactive step towards ensuring compliance with drug-free policies. By reducing legal risks and promoting a safer work environment, employers gain peace of mind. This method of testing supports organizational commitment to maintaining a reputable and secure workplace.

Drug Testing Near Squire, WV

Northfork, WV

Roderfield, WV

Keystone, WV

Kimball, WV

Vivian, WV

Eckman, WV

Welch, WV

Anawalt, WV

Raysal, WV

Pageton, WV

Jenkinjones, WV

Gary, WV

War, WV

Berwind, WV

Cucumber, 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