Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Biltmore Forest, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a repository of alcohol and drug history by ensnaring biomarkers within the strands of newly growing hair. When obtained from near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal amount for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or evaluations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's suggested to weigh the sample with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. By scalp hair, we mean hair on the head only. Body hair signifies all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The quartet of primary stages in the lab's processing of a drug test result includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning handles the initial processing of a sample into the lab's database. This ensures the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any other data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary rapid test for drugs of misuse. While Screening is an economical approach to discard drug use in most samples, a positive screen mandates confirmation to be valid in judicial settings. Every sample that returns a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample be presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents the greatest methodological challenge.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both 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 determine drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty in manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is arduous, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Historical insight: It can reveal a timeline of drug usage over time, not just recent incidences.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify immediate use: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing techniques.
• Varied outcomes: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test itself evaluates the hair shaft, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Biltmore Forest, NC
Hair follicle testing presents numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. With its longer detection window and higher reliability, hair testing ensures superior accuracy in identifying substance use. Especially in Biltmore Forest, NC, employers benefit from using hair over urine tests to uphold workplace standards.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Biltmore Forest, NC
Hair follicle testing offers a significant edge by detecting drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days. In Biltmore Forest, NC, this provides a thorough review of an individual's substance history, enabling employers to gain a complete picture of an employee or applicant's recent behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Biltmore Forest, NC
One of the great strengths of hair follicle testing is its resistance to tampering. Thanks to its collected, observed process, this method significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring reliable and unquestioned outcomes for those conducting assessments in Biltmore Forest, NC.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Biltmore Forest, NC
Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient access to testing centers nationwide, including local sites in Biltmore Forest, NC. This network ensures a swift and straightforward approach for individuals needing efficient testing services without unnecessary hassle.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Biltmore Forest, NC
We maintain a straightforward and confidential procedure for hair follicle tests, from order to results delivery. Clients in Biltmore Forest, NC, appreciate the privacy and ease our service provides, addressing concerns regarding confidentiality and simplicity in their drug testing needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Biltmore Forest, NC
With competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Biltmore Forest, NC, offer outstanding value. By providing cost-effective solutions, we ensure that businesses of various sizes receive high-quality services without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Biltmore Forest, NC
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and swiftness. Drawing on advanced analysis methods, these tests deliver accurate insights into substance use. A crucial asset for employers in Biltmore Forest, NC, these tests pin down usage with high accuracy, facilitating informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Biltmore Forest, NC
Upholding workplace drug-free policies is crucial, and hair follicle testing helps achieve this. Employers in Biltmore Forest, NC, can rely on these tests for compliance assurance, minimizing legal risks, and enhancing the overall safety of their business environment.

Drug Testing Near Biltmore Forest, NC

Mills River, NC

Swannanoa, NC

Fairview, NC

Hoopers Creek, NC

Woodfin, NC

Fletcher, NC

Enka, NC

Midway, NC

Asheville, NC

Avery Creek, NC

Royal Pines, NC

Skyland, NC

Shiloh, NC

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews