Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bailey, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an impactful method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair, it offers an extended timeline for alcohol and drug history. Hair collected near the scalp yields, generally, up to a quarter-year of detection for substances. It is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of nearly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) cut near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample amount is advisable. We encourage utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. Should scalp hair be lacking, a similar quantity of body hair may be utilized. When we mention head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other varieties (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core phases in lab processing of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial sample processing into a laboratory's system. This process verifies the proper sealing and dispatching of the sample, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. While it provides a cost-efficient approach to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive outcome in Screening demands legitimization for court admissions. Samples presumed positive during Screening require further confirmation.

Should Screening suggest a positive, additional hair from the specimen is used for Extraction. At this stage, drug extraction occurs at lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair analysis being the most complex method to perform.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positives undergo washing as necessary. The complete laboratory process, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for a duration reaching 90 days, unlike urine tests, which offer a limited detection timeframe.
• Significantly resistant to tampering: A hair drug test is challenging to manipulate, thereby producing more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be costlier compared to other methods.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can sway drug metabolite concentrations.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Bailey, NC, hair analysis takes the lead due to its superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests offer a broad detection window, currently up to 90 days. Employers, courts, and professionals favor this method for its conclusive and tamper-proof nature. In contrast, urine tests are more prone to external manipulation, underlining the advancements hair testing has made.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Bailey, NC offers an extended detection period, reaching up to 90 days. This gives employers a thorough overview of an employee's or applicant's historical substance usage. Unlike urine testing, which pinpoints recent usage, hair analysis unveils drug habits over time, presenting a clearer picture of behavioral patterns. This longer detection window is invaluable in maintaining honest and safe workplace environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

When conducting hair follicle testing in Bailey, NC, the risk of tampering is significantly reduced. The methodology of hair analysis makes sample adulteration practically impossible, ensuring results are reliable and trustworthy. Unlike other test forms, hair tests safeguard against any attempts at deception, reinforcing their status as a robust and foolproof evaluation method, providing ultimate confidence in the results delivered.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing boasts easily accessible testing locations nationwide, including in Bailey, NC. Our extensive network ensures that individuals and organizations can access testing services conveniently, without hassle. Whether local or nationwide, every center offers efficient service, emphasizing both speed and precision to meet the varied needs of our clients seamlessly.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bailey, NC, our hair follicle testing processes are designed to be straightforward and discreet. The procedure involves simple steps from ordering to receiving results, eliminating any privacy concerns while ensuring ease of use. Confidential handling of all information guarantees client assurance, making the experience stress-free and unobtrusive from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing structures, Accredited Drug Testing in Bailey, NC makes hair follicle testing accessible for businesses of all sizes. Combined with quick turnaround times, our services provide excellent value. Fast, cost-effective, and reliable solutions make us an ideal choice for companies seeking to maintain workplace safety without straining budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Bailey, NC, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their accuracy and speed. These tests are designed to deliver precise results, ensuring that any substance use does not go undetected. Fast and reliable, hair testing sets a new standard in drug testing, minimizing any chance of inaccuracies. The method excels in delivering quick results, which are critical for decision-making by employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Bailey, NC, hair follicle testing supports employers in adhering to workplace drug-free mandates, promoting safety and compliance. Hair testing minimizes legal risks by providing accurate and tamper-resistant results, ensuring companies can maintain peace of mind. With this method, employers can confidently enforce zero-tolerance policies, fostering a safer work environment for everyone.

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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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