Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Farmville, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. The hair captures a prolonged history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. If taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to gather, fairly challenging to adulterate, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. It is suggested to weigh the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable volume of body hair can be obtained. When mentioning head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair only. Body hair involves all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result entails four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. It entails confirming that the sample was sealed and shipped correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for court admissibility. Samples showing presumptively positive results in Screening require a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is found presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at a noticeably lower concentration than in other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which indicates hair drug screening is the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples that test presumptive positive are washed ahead of confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory journey from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a brief detection period.
• Challenging to falsify: It is highly difficult to tamper with a hair drug test, enhancing the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug consumption over a timeframe, not solely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in outcomes: Aspects like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the levels of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though commonly named "hair follicle tests", the test itself examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Farmville, NC
When comparing hair follicle testing to the traditional urine tests, hair tests offer superior detection capabilities. They provide a more reliable assessment due to their extended detection window. This makes them a highly effective method for employers and legal systems seeking accurate drug use histories.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Farmville, NC
Hair follicle testing is unrivaled in its ability to detect substance effects within a 90-day period. This provides employers with a detailed understanding of a candidate or employee's drug history, granting a clearer picture of their past behaviors, which traditional tests like urine may miss.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Farmville, NC
Unlike other methods, hair follicle tests are particularly resistant to tampering or alteration. This ensures that the samples provide accurate and credible outcomes, reducing any chances of manipulation, thus securing the integrity of the test results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Farmville, NC
Our extensive network of testing centers extends nationwide, including local options in Farmville, NC. This ensures hassle-free access to reliable testing services whenever and wherever required, facilitating a convenient experience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Farmville, NC
Ordering and undertaking hair follicle tests is straightforward and discreet. Our streamlined procedures prioritize client privacy, providing ease of use, from initial request to the receipt of results, ensuring a stress-free process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Farmville, NC
Our competitive pricing structures coupled with quick turnaround times make hair follicle testing a valuable choice for businesses of all sizes. Employers can be assured of quality services and timely results, enhancing efficiency and economic benefits.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Farmville, NC
Hair follicle drug tests are known for their swift and precise outcomes, allowing companies in Farmville, NC, to make informed decisions quickly. These tests boast unparalleled accuracy in detecting a wide range of substances, ensuring that the results are trustworthy and dependable for all parties involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Farmville, NC
Employers in Farmville can enjoy greater compliance and reduced legal risks by utilizing hair follicle testing. By ensuring workplace policies are adhered to, companies enhance safety and maintain a drug-free environment, thus strengthening employee confidence and security.

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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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