Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Banner Elk, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a long-term profile of alcohol and other substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers as the hair strand grows. Collecting hair near the scalp allows for an estimated 3-month window of detection for substances. Gathering hair is straightforward, tampering is relatively challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

A segment measuring 1.5 inches with about 200 hair strands (approximately the circumference of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for analysis and subsequent verification. For tests involving EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is advised. If scalp hair can't be collected, an equivalent mass of body hair is acceptable. The term "head hair" specifically denotes scalp hair, while "body hair" pertains to all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Synopsis

The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning serves as the initial stage, where a sample is integrated into a laboratory’s framework. Procedures during this stage include confirming the proper sealing and delivery of the sample, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any missing information not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary, swift assessment for substance misuse. While it's a cost-efficient strategy to eliminate drug use in most cases, a positive screening necessitates confirmation to be valid in a legal setting. Samples that are potentially positive during Screening require an additional confirmation step.

If a sample tests potentially positive during Screening, extra hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at notably reduced concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or saliva), which is why hair drug testing is considered the most intricate method.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptively positive samples undergo washing before confirmation is completed, as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation follows review criteria under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage history for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection capabilities.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, thereby enhancing the precision of the results.
• Chronological data: It can offer a timeline of drug use across time, instead of simply indicating recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent use: Detecting drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally costlier than alternate drug testing practices.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and unique differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Banner Elk, NC, hair follicle testing consistently proves superior to urine tests due to its heightened detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair testing boasts an extensive detection window and consistently reliable results, making it indispensable for employers and legal entities.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Banner Elk, NC is distinguished by its extended detection window, capable of identifying drug use over an impressive 90-day span. This provides employers with a clear overview of an individual's substance history, facilitating informed hiring and workplace safety decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle testing in Banner Elk, NC is its tamper-resistant nature. This method significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering, ensuring results that are both reliable and beyond reproach.

• Reliable results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers across the nation, including those in Banner Elk, NC, accessing our hair follicle testing services has never been more convenient. Our strategic locations ensure a seamless and hassle-free testing experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Banner Elk, NC is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering to result acquisition, privacy and user-friendliness are prioritized, providing a seamless experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Banner Elk, NC, our hair follicle drug testing offers affordable pricing combined with swift turnaround times. This balance ensures excellent value for companies of all sizes, providing assurance and confidence in testing decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug testing in Banner Elk, NC ensures results that are both rapid and trustworthy. With its enhanced accuracy, this method stands as a top choice for identifying substance use.

• Accuracy in identifying drug use

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Banner Elk, NC gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This proactive approach plays a pivotal role in minimizing legal risks and fortifying workplace safety.

• Legal risk reduction

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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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