Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Carolina Shores, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as a robust method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair archives a prolonged history of alcohol and drug exposure by locking biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strands. When harvested near the scalp, hair may offer a detection period of up to three months for both alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A sample spanning 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil's diameter) nearest the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for screenings and confirmations. For EtG testing, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh this. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair exclusively pertain to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (such as facial and axillary hair).

Process Overview

The four critical stages in processing a laboratory drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the primary processing phase where a sample is integrated into a lab's system. This step verifies correct sealing and shipping of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening, a preliminary rapid check for substance abuse, offers a budget-friendly means to exclude drug use in the majority of samples, though confirmations of positive screens are needed for legal admissibility. Samples testing tentatively positive at Screening necessitate follow-up confirmation.

Samples testing tentatively positive in Screening proceed to Extraction, where further hair from the initial sample is utilized. This phase involves capturing drugs from hair at concentrations far lower than those in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Positive screening confirmations are conducted through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation both oversee the lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests reveal drug use for as much as 90 days, whereas urine tests pose a shorter detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, which boosts result accuracy.
• Historical insights: It supplies a timeline of drug use over a duration, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: Detecting drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally bear higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual growth differences can affect drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Carolina Shores, NC, far surpasses traditional urine tests, offering superior detection accuracy. It unveils drug use over longer periods, providing unmatched reliability for employers.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection period that hair follicle testing offers in Carolina Shores, NC, is invaluable. Employers gain a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use history up to 90 days prior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Carolina Shores, NC, hair follicle testing ensures a tamper-resistant methodology. This robust testing greatly reduces the chances of sample adulteration, offering dependable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Thanks to numerous nationwide centers, including in Carolina Shores, NC, our drug testing services are conveniently accessible. This ensures easy and efficient testing for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Carolina Shores, NC, is designed to be simple and confidential. Users appreciate the straightforward procedure and guarantee of privacy throughout the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our hair follicle testing in Carolina Shores, NC, offers competitive pricing and swift results. This combination provides great value, benefiting businesses of all sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Carolina Shores, NC, the meticulous procedure of hair follicle testing stands out for its precision and rapid results. This testing method ensures high accuracy in identifying substance use, quickly delivering reliable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Carolina Shores, NC employers find assurance in hair follicle testing, which helps maintain workplace compliance and safety. This method reinforces drug-free policies and reduces legal vulnerabilities.

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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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