Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Rockingham, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has increasingly been acknowledged as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and various substances by embedding biomarkers within the developing hair's fibers. When acquired near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month observation period for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, supplementary, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It’s suggested to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we're specifically referring to scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is processed into a lab's system. This step entails verifying proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not obtained by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a rapid initial test for drug presence. Although Screening provides a cost-effective means of ruling out drug consumption in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is essential for legal admissibility. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require further confirmation.

For specimens that test presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample and processed for Extraction. At this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most challenging methodology.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating a hair test is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical consumption pattern: It offers a timeline of drug use over a period, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Recent usage detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand rather than the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in East Rockingham, NC, offers several advantages over traditional urine testing. Among them,

• superior detection accuracy,
• greater reliability,
• and a lengthier detection window of up to 90 days.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in East Rockingham, NC, is a major benefit. It allows employers to get a

• more thorough understanding of an applicant's or employee's drug use history,
• covering up to 90 days,
• and offering a clearer picture of long-term drug habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in East Rockingham, NC, is a tamper-resistant method. These tests significantly

• reduce the risk of sample adulteration,
• provide unquestionable results,
• and offer peace of mind with reliable findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient and accessible testing locations in East Rockingham, NC, Accredited Drug Testing ensures

• quick and easy access to services,
• hassle-free testing experience,
• and efficiently meeting client needs nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in East Rockingham, NC, is simple and confidential. It involves

• easy ordering steps,
• privacy in sample collection,
• and securely receiving test results.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In East Rockingham, NC, our hair follicle testing offers affordable pricing and rapid results. Companies benefit from

• competitive pricing structures,
• swift turnaround times,
• and exceptional value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In East Rockingham, NC, hair follicle drug tests deliver fast, precise, and reliable outcomes. These tests are recognized for their

• high accuracy in determining substance use,
• speedy analysis process,
• and ability to detect a wide range of drugs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in East Rockingham, NC, gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This method

• ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies,
• minimizes legal risks,
• and enhances overall workplace safety.

Drug Testing Near East Rockingham, NC

South Wadesboro, NC

Norman, NC

Plain View, NC

Hoffman, NC

McFarlan, NC

Gibson, NC

Morven, NC

Lilesville, NC

Old Hundred, NC

Ellerbe, NC

Fruitland, NC

Ledbetter, NC

Hamlet, NC

Dobbins Heights, NC

Cordova, NC

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews