Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Calypso, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When trimmed near the scalp, it can reveal usage of substances over an approximate three-month span. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A collection of 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advocated. Use a jeweler's scale for accurate specimen weighing. When scalp hair is unavailable, a similar quantity of body hair may be substituted. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases in the lab process of evaluating a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails entering a sample into the laboratory's system. This process includes ensuring the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial, rapid assessment for drug presence. While cost-efficient for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positives at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. At this point, drugs are retrieved from hair at a much reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair analysis the most complex technique to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Cheating is challenging: Hair drug tests are challenging to falsify, ensuring more precise results.
• Reveals historical usage: Shows drug use patterns over time, not merely recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects such as hair color and personal hair growth variances can influence the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Calypso, NC

Hair follicle testing offers numerous advantages over traditional urine tests, particularly its superior detection accuracy. While urine tests can identify recent drug use, hair tests provide a longer detection window, capturing drug use history up to 90 days. This makes hair testing a reliable method for identifying chronic use and ensuring comprehensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Calypso, NC

The ability of hair follicle testing to detect drug use over an extended period gives employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance history. With a detection window up to 90 days, hair testing surpasses traditional methods by reflecting long-term patterns of substance intake rather than only identifying recent use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Calypso, NC

One major benefit of hair follicle testing is its resilience against tampering. Unlike urine tests, which can be manipulated, hair tests are less prone to adulteration. This assures organizations that the results obtained represent the true substance use history of the individual being tested, providing peace of mind with unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Calypso, NC

Accredited Drug Testing ensures accessibility with our nationwide network of testing centers, including those in Calypso, NC. This broad network provides clients with quick and convenient access to conduct the necessary hair follicle tests without facing long delays or complications.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Calypso, NC

The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and respects user confidentiality. From ordering the test to providing the sample and receiving results, every step is designed to be simple and private. Clients can rest assured that their personal information is handled discreetly and securely.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Calypso, NC

Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing and quick results, ensuring organizations of all sizes receive excellent value. Our efficient processes guarantee a rapid turnaround, allowing companies to make timely decisions without financial strain, thus enhancing operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Calypso, NC

Hair follicle drug tests offer a rapid and precise mechanism for detecting substance use. The high accuracy rate reduces the risk of false positives and ensures dependable outcomes. This method's efficiency is beneficial in maintaining a drug-free environment promptly and effectively, thus providing reliable results employers can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Calypso, NC

Hair follicle testing aids employers in staying compliant with workplace drug-free policies. By implementing hair tests, companies can demonstrate their dedication to maintaining a safe work environment, reducing legal risks, and fostering peace of mind among staff and management about workplace safety.

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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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