Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Askewville, NC

What it is, How it works

Testing hair has emerged as an effective method for identifying the consumption of alcohol and drugs. Hair serves as a record of alcohol and drug exposure by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair allows for a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair variations (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of drug test results comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s framework. This involves ensuring the sample was adequately sealed and transported, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data processing not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid detection of substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for legal admissibility. Samples with potentially positive results in Screening require verification via a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this stage, substances are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening poses the most challenges.

The Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes a review consistent with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 guidelines.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: It is exceedingly hard to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Historical insight: It outlines a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Recent use detection: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier compared to other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Even though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Askewville, NC

Hair testing triumphs over urine testing due to its extended detection capabilities. It identifies drug use over months rather than days, which makes it an invaluable tool for employers requiring in-depth insights into potential hires or current employees. Urine tests offer a shorter detection window, often missing past substance usage.

Businesses in Askewville benefit from the unmatched reliability of hair testing, which reduces the risk of inaccuracies in drug screening. This method boasts lower susceptibility to tampering compared to urine tests, reinforcing the commitment to a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Askewville, NC

Hair follicle testing provides a broader timeframe for detecting drug consumption. Its ability to track substance use up to 90 days offers a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug history, crucial for employers seeking to maintain a safe workplace.

Unlike other testing methods with limited windows, hair tests in Askewville deliver a thorough assessment, capturing drug use over months. This extensive monitoring ensures that even elusive patterns of usage are uncovered.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Askewville, NC

Hair follicle testing stands out due to its robust resistance to tampering. The collected samples minimize opportunities for adulteration, guaranteeing results that employers can trust without hesitation.

The method's resilience against manipulation safeguards the integrity of testing processes in Askewville, securing the authenticity of results. This ensures that the findings remain unquestionable and reliable, critical in maintaining workplace standards and safety.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Askewville, NC

Accredited Drug Testing provides easy access at numerous locations across the nation, and locally in Askewville, NC. This network ensures prompt and hassle-free testing, eliminating the inconvenience of travel or scheduling delays.

Clients appreciate the seamless experience offered by our strategically placed centers, delivering expedient testing solutions wherever needed. Employers can quickly meet their testing obligations without logistical hurdles.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Askewville, NC

The hair testing procedure is designed to be straightforward and discreet, protecting the privacy of those involved. Participants find the process for scheduling, testing, and receiving results to be user-friendly and confidential.

Our service in Askewville reassures individuals and companies alike with its commitment to privacy, ensuring secure handling of sensitive information and reducing anxiety during testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Askewville, NC

Businesses operating in Askewville, NC, gain from our competitive pricing and swiftly completed hair testing services. This affordability does not compromise the quality or timeliness of results.

Our clients receive value-packed services, balancing cost efficiency with exceptional testing speed. Companies, regardless of size, benefit from reduced waiting times and fair pricing, reinforcing financial and operational wellbeing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Askewville, NC, hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled speed and precision. The process is designed to quickly deliver accurate results, efficiently identifying substance use. Experts tout the meticulous nature of hair testing as a dependable method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption patterns in individuals.

The robustness of hair tests stems from their high detection accuracy. They minimize false negatives, providing reliable insights into an individual’s drug history. The swift returns allow employers to make informed decisions without prolonged waiting periods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Askewville, NC

Utilizing hair testing aligns with workplace policies for a drug-free environment, mitigating legal risks. Employers can operate confidently, trusting the stringent process and accuracy of hair testing to enforce compliance and enhance overall safety.

Businesses in Askewville benefit from hair testing by upholding rigorous vigilance in drug prevention, ensuring a secure workplace. This peace of mind comes with reduced liabilities and improved employee health standards.

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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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