Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kittrell, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a formidable method for uncovering substance and alcohol consumption. Hair stores a lasting account of alcohol and drugs through the capture of biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When taken near the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month span for identifying alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A strand sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) from the scalp will yield 100mg, the optimal sample for both screening and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, about 150mg of the hair is suggested. We advise weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a corresponding amount of body hair can be gathered. Head hair refers specifically to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory steps for processing a drug result are primarily Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary handling of a sample into lab systems. This step ensures the sample’s seal and shipment are intact, generates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any data entry not automated by an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening is a preliminary rapid assessment for drug usage. While Screening is an efficient method to eliminate a majority of negatives, a positive outcome needs verification to be credible in legal settings. Any samples that show potential drug presence during Screening necessitate further Confirmation.

If Screening indicates a sample may be positive, additional hair from the sample is set aside for Extraction. In this step, drugs are isolated from hair at markedly lower concentrations than in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Confirmation of any positive outcomes from screening is completed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. Any samples showing potential positives are cleansed prior to final Confirmation. The total lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a briefer detection range.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is extremely difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring accurate results.
• Historical information: It provides a timeline of drug use over an extended period, beyond immediate use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become apparent in hair strands.
• Expense: Hair drug testing costs more compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth can affect drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When evaluating drug testing methods in Kittrell, NC, hair follicle testing stands out. It surpasses traditional urine tests in detection accuracy and reliability. Hair tests can unveil drug use within an extended timeline, offering a broader view of an individual's substance history. This comprehensive approach is invaluable, especially when accuracy and reliability are vital in decision-making.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Kittrell, NC, offers the advantage of a long detection window, revealing up to 90 days of substance use history. This extensive timeline provides employers with crucial insights into an applicant or employee's drug habits. The expanded period makes hair testing a superior alternative for those needing a thorough review of past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Kittrell, NC, hair follicle testing is celebrated for its tamper-resistant quality. The testing method minimizes risks of sample adulteration, thereby securing reliable evaluations. Its design makes it nearly impossible to cheat, ensuring that results are both reliable and beyond question. This testing method, thus, provides a credible overview of one's drug use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Kittrell, NC, and nationwide, our testing centers provide convenience in hair follicle testing. Flexible locations ensure accessibility, streamlining the process for quick and stress-free testing. Whether local or further afield, our centers are designed to facilitate easy access, making testing a hassle-free endeavor for all clients involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Kittrell, NC, ensures simplicity and confidentiality in hair follicle testing. From ordering to receiving results, the system prioritizes privacy and ease. The discreet nature of our services means that your data remains secure, ensuring a stress-free experience. Clients can rely on us for a streamlined and confidential process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and fast turnaround characterize our services in Kittrell, NC. Our competitive pricing ensures excellent value, offering peace of mind for companies of all sizes. The quick results don't compromise quality, ensuring that businesses receive timely and accurate information without straining their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision of hair follicle tests in Kittrell, NC is undeniable. Recognized for their speed, these tests accurately identify substance use. Hair samples reveal a history of drug intake, offering comprehensive insights. For those seeking fast results, this method provides unparalleled reliability in determining one's drug use history, pinpointing it with accuracy and timeliness.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Kittrell, NC, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method helps maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By reducing legal risks and enhancing safety, it fortifies the trust within workforce environments. Compliance with such policies is critical to promoting a secure and efficient workplace.

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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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