Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Grover, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective mechanism for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the expanding hair strand. When procured near the scalp, hair can offer roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively complex to alter, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch fragment comprising around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for testing and validation. For EtG, extensions, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler's scale is recommended for measuring the sample. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be gathered. References to head hair solely pertain to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Overview

The primary stages in laboratory processing of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial incorporation of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid assessment for substances of misuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient method to discount drug usage on most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be legally admissible. Any samples presumptively positive during Screening require further validation.

If a sample is likely positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is removed from the original sample and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, substances are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleaned prior to confirmation if required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes a review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation in line with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a briefer detection period.
• Resistance to tampering: Cheating on a hair drug test is highly challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Yields historical patterns: It can show a pattern of drug use over time, not just recent usage.

Drawbacks:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires about 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests commonly cost more than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often described as "hair follicle tests", the examination targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to traditional urine tests in Grover, NC, the differences in accuracy and reliability are clear. Hair testing stands out by capturing a broader history of substance use.

Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing offers a superior window of detection, uncovering drug use over a span of months rather than days, making it a more reliable choice.

Extended Detection Window

The appeal of hair follicle testing in Grover, NC, lies in its extended detection window. This testing method captures drug use over up to 90 days, which surpasses the limited reach of urine tests.

This expansive detection period grants employers a detailed insight into an individual's substance use history, thus offering a profound advantage.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle drug testing in Grover, NC is a tamper-resistant approach that substantially lowers the chances of sample adulteration. Its robustness ensures the integrity of the test results.

Unlike other testing methods, altering the outcome of a hair sample test is nearly impossible, providing confidence in the results obtained.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our service includes the benefit of convenient nationwide testing locations with a presence in Grover, NC. This allows for straightforward and efficient access to testing facilities.

The wide network of centers ensures that accessing hair follicle testing is quick and straightforward, no matter where you are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Grover, NC, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential, addressing privacy concerns effectively.

The ease of ordering, undergoing testing, and obtaining results is designed to offer maximum convenience while maintaining confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround times, we ensure excellent value for companies of all sizes in Grover, NC.

Compelling pricing structures paired with quick result delivery offer employers peace of mind and efficient budgeting for their testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Grover, NC, hair follicle drug tests are known for their fast, accurate, and reliable results. By analyzing the core part of the hair, substance traces can be detected with high precision, ensuring reliable outcomes.

The meticulous process of analyzing hair samples means that any substance use is tracked precisely, resulting in quick and robust detection of various drugs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Grover, NC, benefit from hair follicle testing by ensuring compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method diminishes legal risks and fosters a safe working environment.

With zero room for manipulation, hair testing reinforces an employer’s commitment to maintaining a drug-free workplace, thus promoting peace of mind.

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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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