Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fairmont, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis stands out as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. It offers a protracted timeline of usage by trapping specific biomarkers in the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. Hair, when taken near the scalp, can provide a detection period extending up to about three months for substances. Its collection is straightforward, rather challenging to falsify, and convenient for dispatch.

A sample length of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil), collected nearest to the scalp, amounts to approximately 100mg, ideal for both screening and verification. For tests involving EtG additions and/or those exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the hair sample. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, a similar portion of body hair may be used. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair only. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step, which involves entering a sample into a lab's systems. It consists of confirming the sample’s proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishing any supplementary data entry that an electronic chain of custody might not offer.

Screening serves as an initial broad test for drug presence. Although Screening is a cost-efficient means to eliminate drug usage in most samples, any positive outcomes necessitate confirmation for legal admissibility. Any Screening presumptively positive samples must undergo secondary verification.

In cases where a sample shows a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This stage involves drug extraction at much lower concentrations from hair compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening one of the more complex methodologies.

Confirmation of any Screening positive results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Each presumptive positive sample is cleaned before confirmation if needed. The entire process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, follows reviews under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug testing identifies drug use for a maximum duration of 90 days, which is considerably longer than urine tests.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug tests are notably hard to manipulate, enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data provision: They offer a comprehensive view of drug usage patterns over an extended period, unlike short-term detection methods.

Limitations:

• Recent use detection: Drugs become identifiable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use, thus recent usage may not be detected immediately.
• Higher expenses: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier compared to alternative testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth influence the metabolites' concentration in hair.

Note: While often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strands rather than the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine tests in Fairmont, NC reveals remarkable advantages. Superior detection accuracy is achieved with hair tests, scrutinizing drug use over an extended window. This testing method is preferred for its reliability, proving more challenging to manipulate than urine exams, ensuring dependable results.

Extended Detection Window

In Fairmont, NC, hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, capturing drug activity up to 90 days prior. This lengthy timeframe enables a broad perspective on an individual's substance use history, serving as an insightful tool for employers reviewing an applicant or employee's past behavior regarding drug usage.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Fairmont, NC presents a tamper-resistant approach to examining drug use. By significantly reducing the risk of sample tampering, these tests deliver reliable and unquestionable results. This integrity makes hair tests an ideal solution, ensuring the authenticity of every testing scenario.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Fairmont, NC, our widespread network of testing centers guarantees convenience and ease of access. The nation-spanning availability of facilities ensures swift, straightforward testing procedures, making the process hassle-free for all participants, whether localized or elsewhere across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of drug testing in Fairmont, NC is simple and confidential. Ordering test kits, undergoing testing, and receiving results is designed to assure user privacy and ease. Concerns surrounding confidentiality are carefully addressed, providing an effortless and secure journey from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our testing services in Fairmont, NC boast affordable pricing and swift turnaround times. By offering competitive rates and rapid processing, we deliver outstanding value across various company sizes, ensuring peace of mind with cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fairmont, NC, hair follicle testing is renowned for its reliability. Fast and accurate, these tests promptly detect substance use, offering high precision results. Employers and individuals benefit from the consistent accuracy of hair tests, providing credible and swift findings that become a valuable asset in decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing brings compliance and peace of mind to employers in Fairmont, NC. Adopting this method aligns with workplace drug-free initiatives, curbing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. Employers can confidently enforce policies that contribute to a secure and productive environment.

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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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