Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cruso, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a long-term account of alcohol and drug use by ensnaring biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can present a detection timeline of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands of hair (roughly equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. In cases where scalp hair is absent, an equal mass of body hair may be utilized. When speaking of head hair, we are exclusively talking about scalp hair. Body hair implies all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This process comprises checking that the sample was sealed and dispatched accurately, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data input not provided through an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for courtroom validity. Any samples that are conditionally positive in Screening require an additional confirmation.

If a sample is conditionally positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), which makes hair drug screening one of the most challenging methodologies to execute.

The verification of any positive screening outcome is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All conditionally positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The whole laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair categorization and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug assessments can discover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a more limited detection time.
• Challenge in tampering: Hair drug assessments are quite challenging to tamper with, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over an extended period, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent consumption: It typically takes 5-7 days for substances to become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments often cost more than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Inconsistencies in findings: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug markers in the hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself inspects the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Cruso, NC, is gaining recognition due to its benefits over traditional urine testing. It provides superior detection accuracy and reliability
.

• Longer detection periods
• Minimal tampering risk
• Reliable results

Unlike urine tests, hair tests are hard to cheat, offering employers peace of mind with more accurate results and compliance with drug-free workplace policies.

Extended Detection Window

In Cruso, NC, hair follicle testing is renowned for its extended detection window.
Detect drug use over up to 90 days, offering a more comprehensive overview of an individual's past substance habits, crucial for employment screenings.

Employers benefit from a clearer picture of an employee's substance use history with hair testing. This method provides insights into up to three months of behavior, enhancing informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Cruso, NC, stands out for its tamper-resistant nature.
This testing method significantly reduces adulteration risks, producing dependable results that are difficult to dispute.

Employers in Cruso favor hair tests for their resistance to tampering, ensuring trustworthy outcomes. This method is an ideal choice for dependable and secure drug testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing provides convenient testing locations across the country, including Cruso, NC.
Access to our services is quick and straightforward, with nationwide and local testing centers.

Our nationwide network ensures hassle-free testing experiences in Cruso, offering easily accessible locations for prompt and efficient drug screening services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cruso, NC, the hair testing process is simple and confidential. Ordering, taking, and receiving results are straightforward and secure.
Protect your privacy while ensuring an easy testing experience.

Our process in Cruso focuses on confidentiality, allowing individuals to test without privacy concerns. Our method prioritizes ease of use and discretion throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Cruso, NC, offers affordable pricing and rapid result delivery.

• Competitive pricing
• Fast turnaround

Our cost-effective hair testing ensures high-quality results without breaking the bank. The quick processing times enhance value for businesses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cruso, NC, hair follicle drug testing provides fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels in precision, rapidly identifying substance use.
Hair testing quickly delivers results without sacrificing reliability, making it the preferred choice for accurate drug detection.

Employers in Cruso trust hair tests for their high accuracy, ensuring precise substance detection without unnecessary delays. This testing method stands out for its swiftness and dependability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Cruso, NC, ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
Employers benefit from reduced legal risks and enhanced workplace safety by adopting this testing method.

Using hair tests grants employers peace of mind and ensures adherence to zero-tolerance policies. This choice supports responsible risk management and a secure work environment.

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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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