Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kannapolis, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an effective method for unveiling drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within its strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and can be shipped with ease.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising approximately 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil diameter) closest to the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is ideal for testing. However, for EtG, extra screenings, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair. In contrast, body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into the laboratory framework. This step verifies correct sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finishes any outstanding data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary evaluation for substance abuse. Though cost-efficient for eliminating drug usage in most samples, a positive result in Screening must be verified to be permissible in legal contexts. Samples showing presumptive positive results at this stage must undergo a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample appear presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. Here, drug compounds are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair testing is the most complex to execute.

To confirm any positive screening findings, techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are employed. Any samples indicated as presumptive positives are cleansed prior to confirmation if necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire process is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can reveal drug intake for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a limited detection timeframe.
• Difficult to deceive: The complexity of cheating a hair drug test enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insights: It presents a pattern of drug use over an extended period, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent usage: It typically takes 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are generally more costly than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Commonly mistaken as "hair follicle tests", the test actually assesses the hair strand and not the follicle situated beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When it comes to drug testing in Kannapolis, NC, hair follicle tests surpass traditional urine tests in both accuracy and reliability. Employers and institutions value hair testing for its longer detection period, covering up to 90 days, unlike the limited timeframe urine tests offer.

Compared to urine tests, hair follicle testing highlights fraudulent manipulation, as it's difficult to beat due to its observed and secure collection process. This assured reliability establishes hair testing as the superior choice for comprehensive substance use evaluation.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing offers unparalleled long-term insight into substance use, documenting a 90-day history, which provides employers in Kannapolis, NC, with a detailed view of a potential employee's drug use patterns.

For businesses seeking thorough drug use assessments, hair tests provide an extensive detection window, crucial for recognizing patterns and aiding informed decisions. This advantage makes hair follicle tests a powerful tool in maintaining workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The unique nature of hair follicle testing in Kannapolis, NC, ensures that results are tamper-proof, offering a robust solution to counteract sample adulteration. The secure collection process underscores its reliability, providing unquestionable outcomes.

For those seeking dependable results, hair follicle testing presents a nearly impossible challenge to alter test samples, thus reinforcing its status as the go-to method for assured substance use detection.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The widespread availability of testing centers ensures convenient hair follicle testing in Kannapolis, NC. Our nationwide network facilitates swift, hassle-free access, meeting client demands efficiently.

No matter where you are, our extensive locations mean that hair test facilities are always within reach, allowing for seamless integration into your schedule without the hassle of long commutes or wait times.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Kannapolis, NC, for hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential, easing concerns about privacy. From order to results, steps are clear and secure, ensuring user confidence.

Users appreciate the simple, confidential method of obtaining results, knowing their information remains private while still experiencing a painless and transparent testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Kannapolis, NC, hair follicle tests are competitively priced, offering quick turnaround times that ensure excellent value for companies of any size, without compromising on quality.

Affordability and speed define our approach, providing businesses with cost-effective solutions that allow them to maintain drug-free policies without financial strain or delays in receiving results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests set the standard for swift and precise detection in Kannapolis, NC. The tests boast high accuracy, making them indispensable for identifying substance use efficiently. Whether for employers or legal purposes, the benefits of speed and precision ensure reliable results in critical situations.

The superiority of hair testing lies in its ingeniously developed methods, ensuring fast and dependable analysis results. Clients appreciate the prompt delivery of high-precision results, setting their minds at ease about their testing requirements in Kannapolis, NC.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Kannapolis, NC, find peace of mind through hair follicle testing, ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This form of testing mitigates legal risks, thus enhancing workplace safety and integrity.

Implementing hair tests aligns with maintaining a secure and compliant work environment, reducing stress over potential legal complications, and fostering a culture of safety and well-being among employees.

Drug Testing Near Kannapolis, NC

Huntersville, NC

Cornelius, NC

Granite Quarry, NC

Rockwell, NC

Mooresville, NC

Fallston, NC

Mount Pleasant, NC

Davidson, NC

Harrisburg, NC

Faith, NC

Roberta Mill, NC

Concord, NC

China Grove, NC

Landis, NC

Enochville, 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