Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Elon, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains an extended history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to 3 months for substances. The collection process for hair is straightforward, it is relatively resistant to tampering, and it's also easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional analyses, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advocated. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The primary steps in the lab processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step involves checking that the sample was sealed and transported securely, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary swift assessment for drug presence. While it's an economical method to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screening outcome requires corroboration for legal acceptance. Any samples preliminarily positive during Screening necessitate an auxiliary confirmation.

For samples initially positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen for the Extraction phase. At this phase, substances are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), thereby labeling hair drug testing as the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive findings from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS technologies. All preliminary positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair testing can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is remarkably hard, ensuring higher accuracy in the results.
• Historical insights: It reveals a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent activities.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: Drugs become noticeable in hair around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is generally costlier than alternate drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", this evaluation actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Elon, NC

• Hair testing offers superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests.
• With a much longer detection window, it provides a comprehensive view of substance use.
• Employers benefit from highly reliable results in enforcing zero-tolerance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Elon, NC

• Hair follicle testing detects drugs over a prolonged period, up to 90 days, offering a detailed view of an individual’s drug use.
• This extended window allows employers to understand the long-term substance habits of employees or applicants.
• Organizations can make informed hiring decisions based on comprehensive substance history insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Elon, NC

• Hair follicle testing significantly reduces the possibility of sample tampering, ensuring result integrity.
• Samples are difficult to adulterate, providing trustworthy and unquestionable outcomes.
• This method offers peace of mind to employers and officials needing accurate drug-use assessments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Elon, NC

• Testing centers are strategically located nationwide, including locally in Elon, for convenient access.
• These locations simplify the testing process, making it easy and hassle-free.
• Individuals and companies benefit from quick and straightforward testing service accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Elon, NC

• The process for ordering, taking, and receiving test results is straightforward and confidential.
• Individuals can be assured of privacy throughout each step of the drug testing procedure.
• Efficiency and discretion are key, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Elon, NC

• Accredited Drug Testing offers competitive pricing structures suitable for businesses of all sizes.
• Fast turnaround times ensure rapid access to results, boosting operational efficacy.
• Organizations benefit from great value without compromising on service quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Elon, NC

• Hair follicle drug tests are unparalleled in precision, providing speedy and highly accurate detection of substance use.
• Employing advanced technology, these tests offer quick turnaround times without compromising accuracy.
• Individuals and employers alike can trust in the reliable results delivered rapidly, aiding in timely decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Elon, NC

• Hair follicle testing aids in upholding workplace drug-free policies, mitigating legal risks.
• Such testing enhances safety by ensuring employees adhere to workplace substance policies.
• Employers experience peace of mind through reliable and foolproof testing methods.

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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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