Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Earl, NC

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has emerged as a significant method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. The hair strand retains biomarkers in its fibers, providing a comprehensive history of drug use over time. When clipped close to the scalp, hair offers an approximately 3-month span for detecting alcohol and other substances. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it’s comparatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp gives roughly 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirming results. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale is recommended for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four essential phases in laboratory processing for drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the primary integration of a sample into a lab’s system. It confirms that the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any remaining data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is conducted to quickly check for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug presence in most samples, positive results must be verified for legal acceptability. Samples presumed positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

When a sample shows presumptive positivity in Screening, additional hair is sourced from the original sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower intensity than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), accounting for the complexity of hair drug testing.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods are utilized for the Confirmation of any positive Screening results. Any presumed positive samples undergo cleansing prior to confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and the ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests are capable of detecting drug use up to 90 days back, whereas urine tests provide a shorter timeframe.
• Hard to tamper: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, enhancing the precision of results.
• Records historical usage: It offers a chronological record of drug use, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become traceable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests incur higher costs compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is oftentimes misused, as the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle under the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Earl, NC
Hair testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering superior accuracy and reliability. Unlike urine tests, hair analyses detect drug consumption trends over an extended time, significantly enhancing detection accuracy and minimizing false negatives.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Earl, NC
One notable feature of hair follicle testing is its prolonged detection window, up to 90 days. This extended range provides employers in Earl, NC a thorough perspective on an individual's history, allowing for more informed decision-making in evaluating potential or current personnel.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Earl, NC
Hair follicle tests greatly lower the odds of sample tampering or substitution, ensuring results are reliable and incontrovertible. In Earl, NC, this test's resilience against alteration guarantees employers' confidence in the accuracy of drug testing outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Earl, NC
Our network of testing centers nationwide simplifies access, providing swift, straightforward testing for individuals in any location. In Earl, NC, this makes drug testing both accessible and stress-free, bringing essential services directly to the community.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Earl, NC
The straightforward and discreet process for ordering, conducting, and obtaining test results is designed to protect privacy and ensure ease of use. In Earl, NC, individuals can confidently rely on a seamless and confidential testing experience that addresses all privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Earl, NC
We offer competitive pricing structures along with rapid turnaround times, providing great value and assurance for businesses of varying sizes. In Earl, NC, clients benefit from our cost-effective solutions and prompt service delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Earl, NC
Hair follicle drug tests offer unparalleled speed and precision, ensuring quick results and high accuracy in identifying substance use. In Earl, NC, these tests provide a comprehensive analysis that is both swift and dependable, offering peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Earl, NC
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps businesses adhere to drug-free workplace regulations, thereby mitigating legal exposures and fostering a secure working environment. Employers in Earl, NC benefit from increased compliance and reassurance.

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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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