Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Benson, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as a robust method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair provides an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage. Hair samples, especially when gathered near the scalp, can offer a detection span of up to about three months for both alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, not easily tampered with, and simple to ship.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimum sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, it is advisable to use 150mg of the sample. We advocate weighing the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. When noting head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four main steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any requisite manual data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. Though Screening is an economical approach to dismiss drug usage in the vast majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to stand in a legal setting. All samples that exhibit a preliminary positive in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. In this process, drugs are removed from hair at a considerably lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies to conduct.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with a presumptive positive are washed as per necessity before confirmation. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a briefer detection period.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can display a drug use trend over time, not merely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot identify recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-usage.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are commonly more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Results variation: Factors including hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Even though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Benson, NC, hair follicle tests outshine urine tests with superior detection capabilities. While urine tests cover a shorter time frame, hair testing provides a robust 90-day detection period. This longer window offers a more comprehensive overview of substance history, enhancing reliability.

The accuracy of hair testing surpasses traditional urine sampling, particularly in workplace settings. Hair tests minimize the risk of tampering and ensure a cleaner detection process, reaffirming trust in the test results for employers seeking stringent drug use policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Benson, NC, extends its detection capabilities up to 90 days, providing an exhaustive review of an individual's drug history. This extended window offers invaluable insights into both applicant and employee substance use patterns, beneficial for making informed decisions.

By covering a more extended detection period, hair tests empower employers with detailed data about potential hires. It supports a holistic assessment approach, setting a reliable measure of a candidate's reliability and past substance usage.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Benson, NC, significantly diminish the chances of tampering or adulteration. Unlike urine samples, hair tests are harder to alter, ensuring the integrity of the results. This makes them trustworthy and steadfast, reinforcing their validity.

Employers can rely on the reliability of hair follicle testing, which provides unquestionable outcomes. This robust method guards against interference, maintaining the credibility of testing processes and ensuring seamless compliance with drug-free policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience and accessibility highlight the widespread reach of our testing centers, including those in Benson, NC. With numerous nationwide locations, accessing reliable hair follicle testing services is always near to hand, simplifying the testing process for everyone.

Local and easily accessible, our Benson, NC location ensures a hassle-free testing experience. The vast network of centers guarantees clients receive quick and efficient testing services without unnecessary delays, even on a tight schedule.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Benson, NC is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy throughout. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are streamlined for simplicity, catering to ease of use without sacrificing security.

Comprehensive yet discreet, our Benson, NC service values client confidentiality. Each step of the process is designed to be user-friendly, allowing individuals and employers to conduct testing with utmost discretion and efficiency.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

The pricing for hair follicle tests in Benson, NC remains competitive without compromising on quality. With rapid turnaround times, businesses of all sizes stand to gain value alongside peace of mind, reinforcing the importance of cost-effective health safety protocols.

Our Benson, NC hair testing solutions offer optimal pricing structures. Combined with fast result delivery, these tests provide substantial benefits, making them a preferred choice for companies looking to balance quality and fiscal responsibility.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The speed and precision of hair follicle tests are unmatched in Benson, NC. Boasting high accuracy, they swiftly detect any substance use, offering rapid and dependable results. Their ability to pinpoint substance intake ensures confidence for all parties involved, from employers to individuals.

Incorporating cutting-edge technology, hair follicle tests in Benson, NC promise quick turnaround times, elevating them above other testing methods. This ensures not only fast results but also consistent reliability in detecting substances with unparalleled accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Benson, NC find reassurance in the compliance achieved through hair follicle testing. Adopting such testing helps uphold drug-free workplace policies, which in turn minimizes legal vulnerabilities and bolsters onsite safety measures.

Hair follicle testing provides peace of mind through consistent reliability. Employers can focus on their core business activities, assured that compliance initiatives concerning drug use policies are firmly in place, leading to a safer, more accountable work environment.

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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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