Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Deep Gap, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is increasingly regarded as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive timeline of substance use by ensnaring biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a tracking period of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands—comparable to a #2 pencil in width—positioned close to the scalp, supplies 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for testing and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and evaluations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be obtained. Our reference to head hair exclusively denotes scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four fundamental steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, a sample undergoes initial processing within a laboratory's framework. This stage encompasses verification of the sample’s seal and shipping integrity, assignment of a random LAB (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and the completion of any supplemental data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes a preliminary rapid assessment for drug presence. While it is an economical approach for excluding substance use in the majority of samples, a positive result in Screening necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Samples that presumptively test positive in Screening demand further confirmation.

Should a sample indicate a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug analysis is considered the most intricate method to execute.

Any positive result from Screening is validated through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed as necessary before final confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests offer a shorter detection timespan.
• Low susceptibility to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing the precision of the results.
• Offers historical insights: It reveals a pattern of drug use spanning time, not simply recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: Detecting drugs in hair requires roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing typically incurs higher costs compared to other drug test methods.
• Result variability: Drug metabolite concentration could be influenced by factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Deep Gap, NC is proving to be superior to traditional urine tests. The benefits include a longer window of detection, generally up to 90 days. This method offers more accurate and dependable results, creating a more thorough picture of an individual's substance use habits.

Extended Detection Window

One of the major advantages of hair follicle testing in Deep Gap, NC is its extended detection window. This allows for the identification of substance use up to 90 days prior, providing employers with a comprehensive history of an applicant's or employee's behavior, which is invaluable for making informed hiring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Deep Gap, NC are known for being a tamper-resistant testing method. Unlike other tests, it's difficult to alter or fake results, ensuring that the outcomes are reliable and unquestionable. This integrity makes it a preferred method for employers seeking authentic assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With nationwide testing centers and local options available in Deep Gap, NC, accessing hair follicle testing services is convenient and hassle-free. This ease of access supports both employers and individuals in quickly obtaining necessary drug test results without significant effort.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Deep Gap, NC is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to taking it and receiving the results, privacy concerns are addressed, ensuring that each step is straightforward, secure, and designed to protect personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Deep Gap, NC offers hair follicle drug testing with affordable pricing and fast turnaround. Our competitive rates and quick delivery of results ensure that companies of all sizes receive excellent value, allowing them to maintain confidence and peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Deep Gap, NC, when you need fast, accurate, and reliable results, hair follicle drug testing stands out. Its precision in detecting substances exceeds that of other methods. The ability to quickly and accurately assess drug use makes it a preferred choice for businesses and legal entities.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Deep Gap, NC, utilizing hair follicle testing plays a vital role in maintaining workplace safety and compliance. It helps employers enforce drug-free policies, thereby diminishing legal risks and fostering a safe working environment, crucial for peace of mind and operational efficiency.

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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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