Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Harmony, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now seen as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged history of these substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is easy, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair can be gathered. When referring to head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure consists of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory's system. This step includes confirming that the sample was sealed and delivered correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although it is a cost-saving means to exclude drug use on most samples, a positive screening must be confirmed for it to be valid in court. Samples that test positive during Screening require a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most complex methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in line with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter timeframe.
• Challenging to deceive: It is notably difficult to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Documents historical usage: It illustrates a pattern of drug consumption over time rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Not effective for recent use: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other testing approaches.
• Inconsistency in results: Characteristics like hair color and individual growth variations can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes 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 Harmony, NC
The superiority of hair testing lies in its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. When compared to conventional urine tests, hair samples offer a longer detection period, giving a more comprehensive overview of an individual's substance use history.

With minimal risk of tampering and a broad detection spectrum, hair tests provide a robust alternative to urine testing, supporting stricter compliance and effective monitoring.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Harmony, NC
Hair follicle tests provide an extended detection window, enabling the identification of drug use for up to 90 days. This significantly surpasses the timeframe of other testing methods, offering a broader scope of historical substance use.

This extensive detection period is particularly beneficial for employers wanting a thorough view of an applicant or current employee's drug use history, supporting informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Harmony, NC
Hair follicle tests significantly diminish the possibility of sample tampering, thus assuring highly reliable and unquestionable results. The integrity of these tests is a big advantage over other methods susceptible to adulteration.

Employers can rely on hair testing to uphold strict drug-free workplace policies without concerns over compromised results due to manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Harmony, NC
With numerous centers nationwide, our extensive network ensures access to testing services is convenient and hassle-free for everyone.

Local testing options are also available in Harmony, NC, making the process straightforward and quick, allowing for easy integration into any schedule without disruptions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Harmony, NC
The entire hair follicle testing process is designed with simplicity and confidentiality in mind. From ordering a test to receiving results, every step ensures ease and privacy.

This approach mitigates concerns over privacy and complexity, making the procedure user-friendly while maintaining high standards of confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Harmony, NC
Our competitive pricing structure ensures that testing is accessible and affordable for organizations of any size, with no compromise on quality.

Fast turnaround times mean results are delivered promptly, providing excellent value and peace of mind, ensuring businesses remain efficient and compliant.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Harmony, NC
Hair follicle drug tests are known for their rapid and precise results, essential for timely decision-making. Their accuracy in detecting substance use is unparalleled, providing peace of mind to employers and individuals alike.

The process ensures that the results you receive are not only swift but highly reliable, giving all parties involved the necessary confidence in their accuracy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Harmony, NC
Utilizing hair follicle testing helps ensure adherence to workplace drug-free policies, lowering legal risks and fostering an environment of safety and trust.

Employers gain assurance knowing they are employing an effective strategy that not only keeps them compliant but also nurtures peace of mind with clear and reliable results.

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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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