Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashley Heights, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair examination is increasingly recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair offers a detection window for alcohol and drugs extending up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A sample of hair measuring 1.5 inches and composed of about 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to determine the specimen weight. If scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair can be taken. By "head hair," we specifically mean scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in processing a drug test result in the laboratory include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the inaugural processing of a specimen into the lab’s system. This process verifies that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data processing not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial swift examination for illicit drug use. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Any samples preliminarily positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample shows preliminary positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for further preparation in Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screenings.

Confirmation of any positive screening finding is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples preliminarily positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a reduced detection period.
• High resistance to tampering: Manipulating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage data: It can illustrate a timeline of drug use over an extended duration, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Ineffective for detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests incur greater costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and personal hair growth rates may influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis targets the hair strand itself rather than the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Ashley Heights, NC

Hair follicle testing offers numerous benefits over traditional urine tests that elevate its reliability. First, the extended detection window ensures a thorough assessment of substance use. Additionally, the collection process reduces tampering opportunities, thus guaranteeing more accurate results. These aspects make hair testing the favored choice for many employers.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Ashley Heights, NC

Hair follicle testing stands out for its extended detection window, capturing up to 90 days of substance use history. This capability provides employers in Ashley Heights with a more comprehensive profile of candidates or employees, allowing for informed hiring and monitoring decisions. Such a period isn't possible with standard testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Ashley Heights, NC

One key advantage of hair follicle tests is their resistance to tampering. The method minimises the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results. Ashley Heights residents can trust this process to deliver accurate findings, thus maintaining integrity and trust in drug testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Ashley Heights, NC

Testing in Ashley Heights is hassle-free due to numerous nationwide and local centers. This convenience guarantees easy access to reliable drug testing services. Whether for individual or corporate needs, these centers provide quick and efficient service, upholding the standard for accessible medical testing processes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Ashley Heights, NC

The process for hair follicle testing in Ashley Heights is straightforward and respects privacy. From ordering to test-taking and receiving results, each step ensures confidentiality and ease of use. This streamlined approach alleviates concern over privacy, making the process both secure and user-friendly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Ashley Heights, NC

The competitive pricing and quick turnaround times for hair follicle testing present excellent value for various companies. Ashley Heights businesses can benefit from cost-effective tests that are completed swiftly, providing the reassurance needed to maintain workplace safety and compliance efficiently.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Ashley Heights, NC

For those in Ashley Heights, hair follicle testing provides unmatched speed and precision. These tests boast high accuracy in detecting substance use, outpacing more conventional methods. By analyzing hair samples, this method offers dependable results that facilitate informed decisions, whether for workplace policies or personal insight.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Ashley Heights, NC

With the adoption of hair follicle testing, employers ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This alignment helps reduce legal risks and fosters a safe work environment. Employers find peace of mind knowing they have chosen a method that provides accurate results while upholding policy standards for a safer workplace.

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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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