Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cramerton, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is perceived as a robust instrument for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands of hair as they grow. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection span of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, optional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be obtained. In the context of head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The principal stages in the lab process for a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a sample within a laboratory's system. This step includes verifying that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening features a preliminary quick assessment for drugs of abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective method to eliminate drug consumption in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is required for court admissibility. Any samples tentatively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is tentatively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and processed for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples precalled positive are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and certified to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to tamper: It is exceedingly difficult to deceive a hair drug test, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical information: It can furnish a timeline of drug usage over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual discrepancies in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly labeled as "hair follicle tests," the test examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

An essential advantage of hair follicle testing in Cramerton, NC, is over traditional urine tests. Hair tests excel in exposing substance use with superior accuracy and reliability. The advanced testing method enables a broader detection window, allowing the identification of repeated or chronic use, unlike the more short-term urine examinations.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing in Cramerton ensures maintaining integrity and reducing false negatives. It minimizes opportunities for manipulation or cheating due to its nature. These benefits outfit employers with a more complete understanding of employees' drug use history.

Extended Detection Window

In Cramerton, NC, hair follicle testing's exceptional detection window, up to 90 days, provides an extensive overview of a person's substance history. This longer period offers valuable insights into employee or applicant behavior, fostering a safer workplace.

The broad detection timeline of hair follicle testing captures substance use long after it occurred. For employers in Cramerton, NC, this means making enhanced evaluations based on a comprehensive understanding of drug use patterns, aiding in better hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Cramerton, NC, excel as a tamper-resistant method, significantly lowering the chance of sample adulteration. The robust collection process yields unquestionable results, providing employers with trustworthy data.

Employers in Cramerton, NC, favor hair follicle tests due to their resilience against sample tampering. This fortified testing option ensures accurate outcomes, elevating the integrity and effectiveness of drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our accessible testing sites, including those in Cramerton, NC, offer convenient solutions nationwide. Quick and straightforward access to nearby centers enables hassle-free testing services for individuals and employers alike.

Operating widely across the nation, Accredited Drug Testing provides an array of centers in Cramerton, NC, ensuring smooth processes, ease of use, and swift service delivery. This extensive network guarantees efficient and practical testing options.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cramerton, NC, our simple and confidential testing service guarantees privacy from ordering to receiving results. Accredited Drug Testing handles concerns quietly, supporting ease of access and discretion throughout the process.

Employers and individuals in Cramerton, NC, benefit from a straightforward, confidential protocol, fostering ease and privacy that builds trust in the testing procedures, efficiently managing sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cramerton, NC, advantages from Accredited Drug Testing's cost-effective pricing and swift turnaround times. Companies of every scale experience exceptional value through our affordable, efficient drug testing solutions.

Highlighting competitive rates, our testing services in Cramerton, NC, promise quick results at modest costs. Businesses benefit from excellent value, managing worker safety concerns economically without sacrificing performance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cramerton, NC, hair follicle drug tests shine with their fast and precise results. Unlike traditional methods, these tests accurately pinpoint substance use without delay, ensuring reliable outcomes. The accuracy in detecting illicit substances enhances workplace safety and compliance.

The rapid analysis offered by hair follicle tests is unmatched. In Cramerton, NC, the method ensures a swift turnaround, allowing employers to make informed decisions promptly. The high precision level maintains consistency in test results, fostering trust in drug testing procedures.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Cramerton, NC, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free policies while mitigating legal risks. This reliable screening method enhances workplace safety and compliance.

Hair follicle testing empowers businesses in Cramerton, NC, by aligning with workplace regulations, promoting secure and compliant work environments. This proactive approach precludes potential legal issues, benefiting employers with assurance and stability.

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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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