Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Centerville, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term usage patterns by embedding biomarkers within the growing fiber of the hair shaft. When obtained near the scalp, it can reveal drug or alcohol presence from approximately three months prior. Collecting hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation purposes. For extended tests such as EtG add-ons and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Measuring the specimen on a jeweler’s scale is recommended. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable volume of body hair may be used. The term head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other variants (including facial, axillary, and others).

Process Overview

Laboratory processing for drug test results unfolds in four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the sample's entry into the laboratory system, entailing verification of its proper sealing and shipment, allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completion of any missing data not included in the electronic chain of custody.

Screening is the initial assessment to identify potential drug presence. Although cost-efficient, a positive result requires validation to be used legally. Any samples indicated as presumptively positive during screening necessitate secondary verification.

For samples flagged as presumptive positives, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and processed for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than in other testing modes (such as urine or oral fluid). Consequently, hair drug testing presents unique challenges due to its complexity.

Positive screenings progressing to Confirmation utilize GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples marked as presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation. Each procedural step, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation standards and is ISO/IEC 17025 certified.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug analysis can reveal drug usage spanning 90 days, a far longer period than that detected by urine tests.
• Hard to mislead: Due to its accuracy, evading a hair drug test is considerably challenging.
• Shows usage trends: Offers insight into drug habits over a duration rather than merely recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate usage: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expensive: Hair testing is typically costlier than other methodologies for drug screening.
• Variable results: Drug metabolite concentrations might differ due to factors like hair color and individual growth rates.

Note: Despite being commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Centerville, NC, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering extensive detection accuracy. While urine tests are limited to the most recent five days, hair tests span up to three months, providing a more comprehensive screening process.

Unlike urine tests which may be easily tampered with, hair follicle testing stands out for its reliability, providing authentic results that help maintain stringent substance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Centerville, NC, offers a robust detection window of up to 90 days, allowing employers to gain insights into a person’s long-term substance use history. This broad timeline is crucial for effective monitoring.

With the ability to detect drug use dating back three months, hair tests provide a detailed overview, assisting in identifying patterns in substance use much more effectively than other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Centerville, NC, is a fortified method for detecting drug use that minimizes risks of sample tampering. This method provides reliable and indisputable results, aiding employers in upholding strict testing standards.

By reducing the likelihood of adulterated samples, hair testing ensures the integrity of process and results, offering certainty to both employers and other stakeholders.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Centerville, NC, and beyond, our expansive network of testing centers provides hassle-free access to hair follicle testing services. Whether local or nationwide, these centers ensure quick and straightforward service for all clients.

Our strategically located facilities provide a seamless experience for testing needs, supporting a smooth process from start to finish, accommodating clients’ convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Centerville, NC, we ensure a straightforward and confidential process for ordering, conducting, and receiving hair follicle testing results. This guarantees privacy and ease of use across all stages of testing.

The process is designed with user-friendliness in mind, maintaining confidentiality and minimizing complexity for all participants seeking drug testing services.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and fast turnaround times in Centerville, NC, our pricing structures ensure exceptional value for companies. This affordable approach, coupled with swift results, enhances the decision-making process for varying business needs.

For organizations of all sizes, our efficient and cost-effective services grant access to the reliable information needed to maintain operational integrity and safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The specificity and speed offered by hair follicle drug tests in Centerville, NC, stand unmatched. By delivering precise results quickly, hair testing ensures timely and accurate detection of substances, outperforming other testing methods in both accuracy and reliability.

Hair follicle tests expertly reveal substance use histories with a high degree of precision, offering results that are not only fast but also extremely reliable. This helps employers make informed decisions efficiently.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Centerville, NC, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace drug-free policies, reducing legal liabilities. It fosters a safer environment with the assurance of comprehensive screening measures.

The use of such testing aids in upholding workplace integrity and compliance, allowing businesses to function with peace of mind regarding employee substance-related issues.

Drug Testing Near Centerville, NC

Littleton, NC

Franklinton, NC

Middleburg, NC

Kittrell, NC

Norlina, NC

South Henderson, NC

Dortches, NC

Bunn, NC

Vaughan, NC

Nashville, NC

Momeyer, NC

Louisburg, NC

Franklin, NC

Hollister, NC

Castalia, 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