Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grifton, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as a robust method for detecting substance use. Hair encases biomarkers within the growing strands, offering a chronological record of alcohol and drug intake. When acquired near the scalp, hair allows for a detection window of nearly three months for various substances. Collection is straightforward, alteration is minimal, and shipping is convenient.

A 1.5-inch segment involving approximately 200 hairs (equivalent to the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the prime amount for both preliminary checks and validations. For EtG, additional panels, and assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is preferred. It is advised to measure this on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair be absent, an equivalent volume of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other varieties (like facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The drug test result processing in labs involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a specimen within the lab’s system. This phase ensures the sample's proper sealing and delivery, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any remaining data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening conducts a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. Though economical for excluding drug usage in most specimens, a positive screening necessitates verification for legal acceptability. Specimens with presumptive positives in Screening need additional confirmation.

A presumptive positive sample in Screening transitions to Extraction, where another portion of hair is processed. Drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other procedures (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

Confirmed positive screening outcomes undergo GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS analysis. Presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The lab protocol from Accessioning through Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 norms.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify substance use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which offer a shorter detection duration.
• Reduced likelihood of deception: Hair drug tests are challenging to compromise, resulting in more precise outcomes.
• Reveals usage trends: It captures drug consumption patterns over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to discern recent usage: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other testing methods.
• Results variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", this analysis focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why does hair follicle testing prioritize over traditional urine examinations in Grifton, NC? One benefit is the unmatched accuracy and reliability in identifying substances.

• Hair tests provide a more detailed overview of usage patterns compared to urine.
• Its superior detection capabilities ensure trust in results.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Grifton, NC, offers a significant edge with its extended detection window, capturing substance use up to 90 days. This long-term insight allows employers to understand the substance history of applicants or staff comprehensively. It’s a straightforward approach to acquiring a body's substance profile over an extended period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test is renowned in Grifton, NC for its tamper-resistant nature.

• It minimizes the chances of sample adulteration.
• The collected samples remain unaffected by external tampering attempts.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of extensive testing sites available nationwide, including local centers in Grifton, NC. Our expansive network ensures easy access to services. Whether you need a test nearby or out of state, Accredited Drug Testing provides hassle-free service, making testing straightforward.

Simple, Confidential Process

Conducting hair follicle tests in Grifton, NC is a simple and confidential process. The entire procedure, from order to results, respects privacy. This approach addresses any concerns related to confidentiality and ensures a smooth experience for all individuals involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing structure in Grifton, NC emphasizes affordability and fast turnaround. We cater to businesses of varying scales, offering quality testing at competitive rates. Coupled with expedited results, our services provide excellent value and reassurance, helping companies manage costs effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Grifton, NC, the hair follicle drug test is well-regarded for its speed and accuracy. The rapid processing ensures time-efficient delivery of results. With a high level of precision, hair follicle testing identifies even minute traces of drugs, providing a reliable method to gauge substance use without long waits.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Grifton, NC, hair follicle testing promotes workplace compliance and peace of mind with drug-free policies. It offers legal protection by ensuring regulations are met, thus reducing workplace incidents and promoting a safe environment for all employees.

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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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