Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dellview, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly viewed as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. When hairs are collected near the scalp, they can provide a detection span of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, relatively challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp equates to 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and those exceeding ten panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. It's suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent mass of body hair may be gathered. Head hair pertains solely to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test outcome encompasses four core steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning constitutes the initial processing phase of a sample within a lab's system. This step involves confirming the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning a Random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any remaining data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to dismiss drug usage for most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples appearing presumptively positive during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is retrieved from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are withdrawn from hair at much lower concentrations than through other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), which accounts for why hair drug screening is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all presumptive positive samples undergo washing as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Difficulty to tamper: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally difficult, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Historical insights: It offers insights into drug usage patterns over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Pricing: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors including hair color and individual hair growth rate can impact the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dellview, NC
In comparing hair testing with traditional urine tests, hair analysis exhibits superior detection abilities and consistent reliability. This method captures evidence of drug use with extended accuracy, surpassing urine tests in comprehensiveness.

Employers in Dellview prefer hair tests because they reveal a broader, more accurate timeline of use, while urine tests fall short in long-term detection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Dellview, NC
Hair follicle testing shines with its ability to trace drug use over a three-month period, offering employers an extensive review of an individual's substance history. This testing window presents a crucial advantage over shorter-term tests.

For companies looking to maintain informed hiring and monitoring processes, a 90-day detection capability provides invaluable insight.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Dellview, NC
Hair follicle tests substantially lessen tampering risks, assuring result authenticity. The collection procedure is carefully monitored, making it difficult for any interference, thus guaranteeing reliable outcomes.

Organizations in Dellview trust this method due to its resistance to manipulation, fostering a drug-free workplace confidently.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Dellview, NC
Our testing centers are strategically located across the nation, providing easy and seamless access to testing services. This network is specifically designed for client convenience.

Residents of Dellview benefit from nearby facilities, simplifying the testing process and ensuring quick availability of services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Dellview, NC
We offer an uncomplicated and private process for arranging, conducting, and obtaining test results, addressing both privacy considerations and ease of use concerns.

This streamlined approach makes securing necessary health data straightforward and stress-free for all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Dellview, NC
Our competitive pricing and rapid result delivery provide unmatched value, appealing to businesses of varying scales in Dellview. Clients receive excellent service without financial strain.

This approach allows companies to stay both informed and economically prudent, supporting efficient decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Dellview, NC
Hair follicle drug testing delivers swift and precise analysis, making it highly effective at identifying substance use. This method ensures dependable results, enabling better decision-making for employers and allowing fast action when needed.

With advanced technology, hair tests in Dellview guarantee high accuracy. This testing method outperforms other options, providing clarity and assurance in uncovering substance involvement.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Dellview, NC
Adopting hair follicle testing assists in aligning with drug-free workplace standards, reducing legal exposures, and enhancing safety. Employers can assure compliance with these robust testing measures.

The peace of mind provided by adherence to regulations offers a secure and productive company culture.

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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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