Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Spencer, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair tests have increasingly become recognized as a potent means for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When sourced close to the scalp, hair can unveil an up to 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. It is easy to gather, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to send.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil’s thickness) near the scalp provides 100mg, an optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, enhancements, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It is suggested to measure the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. In instances where scalp hair is lacking, a comparable amount of body hair can suffice. When mentioning head hair, it strictly refers to scalp hair, and body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps throughout the lab analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the sample's first stage of processing within the lab system. This process encompasses ensuring the sample is correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing up any extra data entry that's unavailable in an electronic custody chain.

Screening facilitates a preliminary analysis for illicit substances. Screening serves as an economical method to dismiss substance consumption for most samples; however, a positive outcome necessitates confirmation for legal proceedings. Any samples initially indicated as positive during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

When a sample tests provisionally positive during the Screening phase, supplementary hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. In Extraction, substances are isolated from hair at a significantly reduced concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation for any preliminary positive results is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All provisionally positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation, as deemed necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification along with the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can identify substance use for as long as 90 days, as opposed to urine tests with shorter detection ranges.
• Hard to manipulate: It's exceedingly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Reveals usage patterns: This test can map drug consumption patterns over time, rather than just recent use.

Drawbacks:

• Cannot trace recent usage: Drugs typically require 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests are often costlier than alternative testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth disparities can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," this evaluation focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In East Spencer, NC, the advantages of hair follicle tests over urine tests are evident. Hair tests excel in accuracy and reliability, offering near-impossible-to-cheat results with a longer detection period. Employers and legal professionals favor this method as it surpasses traditional urine tests in detecting substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
Hair follicle testing in East Spencer, NC, offers a major benefit with its extended detection window, capturing drug use for up to 90 days. This timeframe provides a holistic view of an individual's substance use history, greatly aiding employers in making informed decisions about potential or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
In East Spencer, NC, hair follicle tests are celebrated for their tamper-resistant qualities. This method significantly reduces the likelihood of sample adulteration, ensuring that results are both reliable and trustworthy. The integrity of hair testing makes it a preferred choice for those needing certainty in their drug testing protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Our extensive network of testing centers across the nation, including in East Spencer, NC, offers unmatched convenience. Ensuring easy and prompt access to our services, individuals and organizations can swiftly undertake the testing process without the burden of logistical challenges, ensuring productive outcomes.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
In East Spencer, NC, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to obtaining results, privacy is paramount. This user-friendly approach respects individual confidentiality while providing ease of use, addressing privacy concerns comprehensively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
Clients in East Spencer, NC, benefit from our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround on hair follicle tests. We offer excellent value, meeting both budgetary and time-sensitive requirements, which is vital for businesses aiming to ensure a drug-free environment without financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In East Spencer, NC, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their exceptional speed and precision. With high accuracy in detecting substance use, they offer reliable results swiftly, ensuring that both individuals and organizations can trust the insights provided. Their robust methodology ensures that results are dependable, reducing the chances of inaccuracies.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Employers in East Spencer, NC can achieve peace of mind through hair follicle testing. This reliable method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies while mitigating legal risks. Safety and compliance take priority, enhancing the overall work environment and securing company interests effectively.

Drug Testing Near East Spencer, NC

Landis, NC

Lexington, NC

High Rock, NC

China Grove, NC

Cooleemee, NC

Woodleaf, NC

Tyro, NC

Rockwell, NC

Southmont, NC

Liberty, NC

Faith, NC

Granite Quarry, NC

Franklinville, NC

Salisbury, 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