Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Washington, WV

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the developing hair strand. When harvested near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for a detectable period of approximately 3 months. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is preferred. It is advisable to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. When discussing head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair includes all hair types apart from scalp hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The testing for drugs follows four primary laboratory steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the sample's introduction into the lab system. This phase encompasses checking for the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and any supplementary data logging not handled by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening is a preliminary assessment targeting drugs of misuse. Though it offers a cost-effective exclusionary method for most samples, a confirmed positive screening is required to hold up in legal proceedings. Samples that give a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair from the original specimen is retrieved for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels than other forms like urine or saliva, which makes hair testing the most challenging to execute.

Positive results from the screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. Necessary presumptively positive samples are cleaned before confirmation. The entire lab flow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined per both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation of ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for durations as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer shorter detection periods.
• High resistance to tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, leading to more reliable results.
• Tracks usage patterns: Unlike identifying immediate use, it offers an overview of drug consumption over time.

Limitations:

• No recent use detection: Drugs take approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be pricier compared to other methods.
• Result inconsistencies: Variables such as hair color and individual growth patterns can influence drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination involves the hair strand, not the follicle below the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Washington, WV, surpasses urine testing by offering enhanced detection accuracy and consistency. Hair testing stands out against traditional urine tests, proving more effective in identifying drug use.

Extended Detection Window

With its extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Washington, WV, reveals drug use history for up to 90 days. Employers gain a detailed view of a candidate's or employee's substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Washington, WV, are resistant to tampering, significantly lowering the chances of sample adulteration, hence delivering results that are dependable and unquestionable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

We facilitate convenient testing through our network of nationwide centers and local presence in Washington, WV, ensuring a seamless and accessible experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of requesting, conducting, and obtaining hair follicle test results in Washington, WV is simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease for all users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive prices and rapid turnaround, hair follicle testing in Washington, WV delivers unmatched value and reassurance to businesses of any scale.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Washington, WV, hair follicle drug testing offers quick and reliable results. Precision and speed define this method, providing high accuracy in identifying substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Washington, WV, benefit from hair follicle testing in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal exposure, and boosting workplace security.

Drug Testing Near Washington, WV

Plymouth, WV

Poca, WV

Bancroft, WV

Hamlin, WV

Saint Albans, WV

St. Albans, WV

Eleanor, WV

Nitro, WV

Milton, WV

Scott Depot, WV

Teays Valley, WV

Culloden, WV

Hurricane, 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