Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brunswick, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an impactful method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a timeline of substance use by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the growing strand. When gathered near the scalp, it can provide a detection period of up to about three months for alcohol and other drugs. It's easy to collect, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to ship.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for precise measurement. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" refers to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial sample processing within a lab system. It includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening conducts a preliminary check for drug abuse. While Screening is an affordable way to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that test positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For samples testing positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for preparation. Here, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), hence making hair drug screening a challenging endeavor.

Any positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing positive initially are cleansed prior to confirmation as needed. Every stage from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks usage history: It portrays a pattern of drug use over time, not simply recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent intake: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Aspects like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually targets the hair strand above the scalp and not the follicle beneath.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Brunswick, NC, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests by offering enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests are commonplace, their detection window is limited. Hair follicle tests provide a longer detection period, capturing a broader picture of an individual's drug usage. Employers and institutions lean on hair tests for their superior capability to identify substance use accurately over urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle drug testing offers an extended detection window in Brunswick, NC, capturing drug use history for up to 90 days. This capability enables employers to get a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's substance use record. For those aiming for thorough and reliable evaluations, hair follicle testing provides an unparalleled advantage, offering insights unavailable from shorter-term testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Reducing the risk of sample adulteration, hair follicle testing in Brunswick, NC is a tamper-resistant option for drug testing. The collection process, conducted under supervision, ensures the integrity of samples, delivering results that are both reliable and irrefutable. This method provides peace of mind by minimizing instances of sample manipulation and delivering trustworthy outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide centers and local locations in Brunswick, NC, accessing hair follicle testing is straightforward. The vast network ensures prompt and hassle-free access, facilitating quick testing services. Our strategic locations mean you can count on prompt and efficient service no matter where you are, simplifying the process for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting a hair follicle test in Brunswick, NC is both simple and confidential. The process for ordering, taking, and receiving results is straightforward, ensuring privacy and ease of use. Designed with user convenience in mind, the entire testing workflow is structured to address privacy concerns while providing a seamless experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Brunswick, NC, our hair follicle testing services deliver excellent value. Companies of all sizes benefit from affordable pricing structures coupled with the rapid delivery of results. This combination provides peace of mind and financial efficiency, making it a favored choice among employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test is celebrated for its high precision and speed in delivering results in Brunswick, NC. This method is renowned for detecting substance use with remarkable accuracy, leaving minimal room for error. In comparison to other testing methods, hair follicle tests stand out for their rapid turnaround and dependable results, ensuring that those who rely on them can trust the outcomes they provide.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Brunswick, NC find assurance in the compliance and enhanced workplace safety delivered by hair follicle testing. This method aids in maintaining drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks, and fostering a secure work environment. Utilizing hair follicle testing ensures peace of mind for employers, supporting them in their efforts to uphold a clean and compliant workplace.

Drug Testing Near Brunswick, NC

Leland, NC

Belville, NC

Southport, NC

Caswell Beach, NC

Shallotte, NC

Holden Beach, NC

Winnabow, NC

Oak Island, NC

Saint James, NC

Boiling Spring Lakes, NC

Prospect, NC

Varnamtown, NC

Bolivia, 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