Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Barco, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair serves as a record of alcohol and drug use by locking biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When obtained near the scalp, hair potentially offers up to a 3-month period of detection for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

Approximately 1.5 inches of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) taken close to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal sample quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests above 10 panels, 150mg of hair is preferred. It is advisable to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, a similar quantity of body hair may be retrieved. When referencing head hair, it denotes scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory treatment of a drug test result incorporates four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s mechanism. It involves confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid check for drug abuse. Screening serves as an economical means to eliminate drug use in most samples, yet a positive screen must be confirmed to be permissible in legal settings. Samples that return as presumptively positive in Screening need an additional confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, further hair is extracted from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. This phase involves retrieving drugs from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing as the most intricate method to accomplish.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive laboratory journey from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which possess a shorter detection span.
• Hard to bypass: It is extremely challenging to pass a hair drug test unethically, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time rather than merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent usage: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing approaches.
• Variability in outcomes: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination actually analyzes the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing offers significant advantages over traditional urine testing in Barco, NC. The foremost benefit is its extended detection time, often catching drug use missed by a urine test. Urine tests typically detect recent consumption only, whereas hair tests can uncover a broader history of substance use, offering a comprehensive analysis of drug consumption habits.

Hair testing is also superior in detecting evasion tactics commonly associated with urine tests. In Barco, this matters greatly to employers who require unwavering precision in test results. Hair tests eliminate the risk of tampering that can compromise urine test results, ensuring a true reflection of the individual's substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Barco, NC, value the extended detection window provided by hair follicle drug testing. Unlike other methods, hair testing can reveal drug use over the past 90 days, offering a detailed view of an individual's substance history. This timeframe helps make well-informed decisions about applicants or current employees' suitability and reliability.

The ability to identify patterns in drug use spanning several months aids employers in painting a comprehensive picture of a potential or current employee. By utilizing the extended detection window, companies can maintain high standards of integrity and safety in the workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Barco, NC, hair follicle testing stands out as a tamper-resistant solution. Unlike urine tests, which are susceptible to adulteration, hair tests provide a robust defense against sample tampering. The inherent nature of hair samples ensures that results captured are genuine, eliminating doubts about the specimen's integrity or the test outcome.

This tamper-resistant characteristic of hair testing is invaluable for employers aiming to uphold high standards of trust and reliability. It guarantees that the results are a true representation of an individual's substance use history, fostering confidence in decision-making processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With a network of nationwide testing centers, Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient locations for hair follicle drug testing in Barco, NC. This extensive reach ensures that individuals and employers can swiftly access necessary testing without the hassle. Our strategically placed centers provide ease of access, supporting timely and efficient testing processes.

By having local testing facilities in Barco, we cater to clients' needs effectively. The ability to access services locally means no long commutes, reducing time away from work and prioritizing convenience for those requiring drug testing services, thereby streamlining the process significantly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Ordering and undergoing a hair follicle drug test in Barco, NC, is a simple and confidential process. From placing an order to receiving results, every step prioritizes user privacy and ease. Accredited Drug Testing ensures that the process is straightforward, reassuring individuals about the security and confidentiality of their personal information.

This careful handling of information fosters trust and willingness among clients to undergo testing, knowing their privacy is safeguarded. The streamlined process allows individuals and employers to confidently make informed decisions based on reliable test outcomes without the concern of data breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Barco, NC, our hair follicle drug testing services are characterized by competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. Accredited Drug Testing offers clients excellent value, making high-quality testing accessible to businesses of varying sizes, ensuring they receive maximum benefit for their investment.

Affordability does not come at the expense of quality. Clients receive prompt results from tests, allowing for swift decision-making crucial to maintaining workplace standards. Our pricing structures are designed to be cost-effective, guaranteeing satisfaction with both price and service quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Barco, NC, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for yielding fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels at identifying substance use with high precision, making it a trusted choice for many. The speed at which results are returned is unparalleled, minimizing time for decision-making and ensuring employers have the timely information they require to maintain a safe workplace.

Employers in Barco benefit from the accuracy of hair follicle tests, crucial for maintaining workplace integrity. The capability to reliably detect substances ensures that decisions based on test results are sound and reliable. This accuracy translates to fewer false positives or negatives, providing peace of mind to employers ensuring a drug-free work environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing aligns with employers' commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace in Barco, NC. By choosing hair tests, companies can ensure compliance with their policies, reducing legal risks associated with substance abuse and enhancing workplace safety. This compliance fosters a culture of accountability and trust within the organization.

Employers appreciate the peace of mind offered by hair testing as it mitigates potential legal and safety-related issues. Adhering to zero-tolerance policies with reliable testing methods helps preserve a productive environment and reduces liability concerns, ultimately benefiting the company's reputation and operational efficiency.

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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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