Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Alarka, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair, it provides a prolonged account of alcohol and other drugs usage. When harvested from near the scalp, hair offers a detection span extending up to about 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and can be easily shipped.

An ideal sample comprises a 1.5-inch section of approximately 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, yielding about 100mg of hair for optimal screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is suggested. It is advisable to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. In instances where scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. "Head hair" is specified as scalp hair exclusively, while "body hair" encompasses all alternative hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps involved in processing a drug test result in a laboratory are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, a sample is initially processed into the laboratory’s system, including checks to ensure proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a swift preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Though cost-effective for ruling out drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples that are presumptively positive during Screening require a secondary confirmation.

Samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate additional hair from the initial sample be prepared for Extraction, where drugs are extracted at lower concentrations than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is notably challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screen results is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples undergo a wash prior to confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed according both to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Difficulty to cheat: The difficulty in evading a hair drug test results in more precise outcomes.
• Provides historical data: It delivers a drug usage pattern across a span of time, rather than solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Generally, hair drug tests incur higher expenses than other drug testing approaches.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth disparities can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", this test analyzes the hair strands, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Alarka, NC, hair follicle testing excels over urine testing through its superior detection capabilities.

Unlike urine tests, hair testing analyzes a longer period of substance use, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's history.

Moreover, hair follicle tests offer unparalleled reliability and are less susceptible to tampering attempts, reaffirming their position as a preferred method for thorough drug detection.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Alarka, NC, highlights an extended detection window that far surpasses traditional methods.

With a duration of up to 90 days, these tests provide a comprehensive view of an individual's drug use history, crucial for employers keen on maintaining stringent drug-free policies.

This longer detection period ensures a more reliable assessment, offering assurance to those needing detailed and historical drug screening information.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Alarka, NC, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests greatly reduces the likelihood of adulteration.

These tests provide trustworthy results, as the sample collection process is observed, minimizing any chance of results being compromised.

Employers and institutions favor hair testing for its high level of security, ensuring outcomes that are hard to challenge or manipulate, thus providing peace of mind with their reliability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive network of testing facilities nationwide, including in Alarka, NC, guarantees quick and hassle-free access to hair follicle drug testing services.

The convenience offered by our local and national locations ensures that clients can easily find testing centers that meet their needs without excessive travel.

Providing accessible and efficient service is our priority, enhancing the overall testing experience for our users.

Simple, Confidential Process

Experience a simple and confidential hair follicle testing process in Alarka, NC.

From ordering to receiving results, our streamlined process ensures that client privacy is maintained at all times.

Designed for ease of use, our services prioritize confidentiality, allowing individuals to engage seamlessly with the testing process while being assured of their data's safety.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Alarka, NC, we offer competitive pricing for our hair follicle drug testing services, ensuring affordability without compromising quality.

Fast turnaround times mean businesses can rely on our services for timely results, giving them the advantage of quick information access.

The excellent value we offer supports companies of all sizes, providing peace of mind through cost-effective and efficient testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug tests offer fast, accurate, and reliable results in Alarka, NC. These tests precisely detail substance use, providing detailed insights much faster than some traditional methods.

The accuracy of hair follicle tests stands out because they meticulously detect a wide range of substances, ensuring thoroughness in results.

By leveraging advanced technology, hair follicle testing offers high precision in the detection of drug use, making it a trusted method for employers and institutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Alarka, NC, achieve compliance and peace of mind through the use of hair follicle testing.

With increased accuracy and reliability, hair testing supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies, thereby mitigating potential legal risks.

Ensuring a safe workplace environment becomes more feasible with hair testing, as it equips employers with precise data to enforce their zero-tolerance strategies effectively.

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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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