Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Godwin, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair evaluations have emerged as an effective approach for unveiling drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lasting trace of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the developing hair strands. When procured near the scalp, hair can offer up to nearly a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) closest to the scalp yields 100mg — the perfect amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG supplements and/or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the material is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen's weight. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" pertains strictly to scalp hair, whereas "Body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test result involves four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the sample's initial integration into a laboratory's system. This step includes verifying proper sealing and transport of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises a preliminary rapid check for drug abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires confirmation for legal acceptance. All samples flagged as potentially positive in Screening need further validation.

Should a sample be flagged during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are retrieved from hair at a significantly lower concentration than seen in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Verification of any positive screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples identified as presumptive positive undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection period.
• Resilient to tampering: Cheating a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical data: It can outline a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs typically need 5-7 days before becoming detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Hair color variations and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite often being called “hair follicle tests,” the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Godwin, NC, hair follicle testing emerges superior to urine tests due to its extended detection period and resistance to tampering. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests can detect substances for up to 90 days, offering employers in superior accuracy and reliability in screening history of drug usage across applicants and employees.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Godwin, NC benefit significantly from hair follicle tests due to their ability to detect drug use over an extensive period, up to 90 days. This extended detection window provides a detailed analysis of an individual's substance history, offering insight into past behavior and helping make informed employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Due to its tamper-resistant nature, hair follicle testing in Godwin, NC offers a dependable solution for detecting illicit substances. The method's resistance to manipulation ensures a high level of reliability, providing results that are trustworthy and eliminate the risk of sample contamination or adulteration.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Godwin, NC residents have easy access to convenient testing services with our nationwide centers. The broad availability of our facilities guarantees a quick and hassle-free experience, ensuring that individuals can get tested promptly and efficiently, no matter their location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Residents of Godwin, NC, can enjoy a seamless and confidential procedure for hair follicle testing. The process is straightforward, from ordering to receiving results, ensuring privacy and ease of use. Individuals can be assured that their information is protected, while still benefiting from dependable and fast service.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Godwin, NC, our hair follicle testing services are competitively priced, providing excellent value alongside fast turnaround times. Our affordable pricing allows companies of all sizes to benefit from high-quality testing results, promoting a secure work environment without compromising financial resources or time.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle drug tests in Godwin, NC, ensures accurate detection of drug use. This method boasts rapid and reliable results, making it a top choice for those seeking timely and precise outcomes. The hair test is adept at identifying even minimal traces of substances, reinforcing its status as a dependable option for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing in Godwin, NC, ensures companies adhere to drug-free workplace policies. This testing strategy minimizes legal risks and bolsters workplace safety. By maintaining compliance standards, employers can achieve peace of mind, knowing they are fostering a secure working environment.

Drug Testing Near Godwin, NC

Cumberland, NC

Autryville, NC

Stedman, NC

Vander, NC

Buies Creek, NC

Benson, NC

Coats, NC

Spiveys Corner, NC

Eastover, NC

Bunnlevel, NC

Erwin, NC

Dunn, NC

Wade, NC

Linden, NC

Falcon, 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