Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hiwassee, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. It captures a long-term record of drug and alcohol consumption by retaining biomarkers in the fibers of the growing hair strand. When collected close to the scalp, it affords up to a 3-month detection period for both drugs and alcohol. Hair collection is convenient, with limited chances for tampering, and shipping is straightforward.

A 1.5-inch sample of about 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's thickness) near to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurately weighing the specimen. In cases where scalp hair is absent, equivalent body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processes in drug testing consist of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial handling of a sample in the lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concludes any extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs a quick preliminary check for drug presence. Although Screening economically eliminates drug use for the majority of samples, a positive screen must be verified for legal proceedings. Samples that test presumptively positive at Screening require further confirmation.

If Screening suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the specimen to prepare for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any preliminary positive results is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if required. Every step from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review per the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests offer a drug use detection window of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which provide shorter detection periods.
• Resistance to tampering: Hair drug testing is remarkably resistant to manipulation, boosting the accuracy of the outcomes.
• Historical pattern identification: It can map out a history of drug use over an extended period, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent consumption: It usually takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become apparent in hair samples.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier in comparison to other drug test methodologies.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms traditional urine analyses is evident in Hiwassee, NC. The superior detection capability offered by hair tests ensures unparalleled accuracy and trustworthiness.

Comparing hair follicle to urine testing, the former sets itself apart with an extended detection window, elevating its effectiveness and reliability in a corporate or judicial setting.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period is a significant factor favoring hair follicle testing. In Hiwassee, NC, these tests detect substance use over a prolonged timeframe, frequently up to 90 days, offering in-depth insights into an individual's history.

This extended window allows businesses in Hiwassee to gain comprehensive perspectives on applicants or employees, enabling more informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Methodology is a highlight of hair follicle testing. In Hiwassee, NC, these tests minimize the odds of sample adulteration, ensuring results are both credible and definitive.

The robust nature of hair tests makes it challenging to alter samples, thereby providing results that can be trusted in forensic or workplace settings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Centers are available nationwide, ensuring ease of access in Hiwassee, NC. Our wide-reaching network ensures a smooth and stress-free testing experience.

In Hiwassee, residents benefit from locally available centers, making the testing process both accessible and efficient.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Confidential processes characterize hair follicle testing in Hiwassee, NC. The straightforward procedure ensures privacy at every step, from ordering to result receipt.

Concerns about confidentiality are addressed head-on, with a commitment to a process that respects user privacy and simplifies the testing experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and quick turnarounds define our hair follicle testing services in Hiwassee, NC. Our pricing schemes offer excellent value for companies regardless of size.

With rapid return times and fair pricing, our services guarantee both quality and economy, a boon for businesses in Hiwassee.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable results are a key advantage of hair follicle drug tests. In Hiwassee, NC, these tests are renowned for their precision and rapidity, effectively identifying substance use.

The accuracy level provided by hair follicle testing ensures that results are both rapid and reliable, thereby positioning it as a leading choice for those demanding swift and incontrovertible outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance are achieved through hair follicle testing. In Hiwassee, NC, this method ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal liabilities and bolstering safety.

Employers can gain peace of mind knowing that the testing method they employ upholds regulatory standards and enhances workplace operations.

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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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