Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Gatesville, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analyses have gained recognition as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a lengthy record of alcohol and other substances by encasing biomarkers within the structure of evolving hair strands. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window for alcohol and other substances of up to roughly three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. Employ a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. Should scalp hair be absent, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When we mention head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory handling of a drug test result involves four crucial stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any additional data input not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening constitutes an initial quick examination for substances of abuse. Although Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified to be acceptable in a court of law. Any samples that show presumptive positivity during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample display presumptive positivity during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in alternative methodologies (for instance, urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive are cleansed before confirmation as required. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can reveal drug usage for as long as 90 days, compared to urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to tamper with: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thereby ensuring more accurate results.
• Delivers historical insight: It can supply a timeline of drug usage over a span, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses typically incur higher costs than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug by-products within the hair.

Note: Although often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the analysis itself targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Gatesville, NC, hair follicle tests outshine urine testing, offering unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing captures substance use over a longer duration, revealing consumption patterns missed by urine tests. With its greater precision, it greatly benefits employers in maintaining a drug-free environment, ensuring only the most trustworthy individuals are employed.

Extended Detection Window

With its extended detection window, hair follicle testing in Gatesville, NC, identifies drug use up to 90 days prior. This longer timeframe offers employers a thorough view of substance history, assisting in informed decision-making for hiring and maintaining a sober workforce. Hair tests ensure a comprehensive insight into an individual's habits, unmatched by shorter detection methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Gatesville, NC, offers a tamper-resistant method, significantly minimizing sample manipulation risks. Its reliability and integrity ensure results aren't questioned, distinguishing it from conventional tests prone to adulteration. With its robust process, hair testing offers employers confidence in maintaining a genuine and unblemished testing outcome.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Gatesville, NC, benefits from the convenience of nationwide and local hair follicle testing locations. With accessible centers, testing becomes quick and stress-free, catering to both individual and employer needs. This expansive network ensures that reliable and efficient services are always within reach, regardless of the city.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Gatesville, NC, we offer a simple and confidential process for hair follicle testing, addressing privacy and ease concerns. Ordering, taking the test, and receiving results are streamlined for user convenience. This ensures individuals can undergo testing without stress while maintaining the privacy of their personal information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our affordable pricing in Gatesville, NC, combined with fast turnaround times, offers superb value. Businesses of all sizes benefit from our competitive rates, enjoying the balance of cost-effectiveness and excellence in service. This ensures a smooth and financially viable testing process without compromising on quality or speed.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Gatesville, NC, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their speed and accuracy, offering high precision in substance detection. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests provide rapid results without sacrificing reliability, making them an ideal solution for urgent testing needs. Their exceptional accuracy ensures confidence in the outcomes, giving peace of mind to those who rely on the evidence they provide.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Gatesville, NC, gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing. By adhering to workplace drug policies, the method lowers legal risks and enhances safety. This proactive approach not only ensures regulatory compliance but also fosters a secure work atmosphere, aligning with organizational commitments to safety and integrity.

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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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