Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Macon, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a robust approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug intake by integrating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When sampled near the scalp, hair is capable of offering up to roughly a 90-day detection period for alcohol and drug presence. Hair sampling is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and readily transportable.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (around the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or evaluations exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advisable. It is suggested to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unattainable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. In the context of head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result primarily involves Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory's framework. This process includes confirming the sample’s secure sealing and shipment, designating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain-of-custody mechanism.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical means to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for legal acceptability. Samples with presumed positive results in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample is assumed to be positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo cleansing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory sequence from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a more limited window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Retrospective data: It can illustrate a pattern of drug use over a prolonged span, not solely immediate use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to become detectable within hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other testing approaches.
• Result discrepancies: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth might influence the amount of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Macon, NC
Hair follicle testing offers several advantages over conventional urine tests, such as superior detection accuracy and reliability. This method can uncover drug use over a prolonged period, providing more substantial evidence of substance use, making it an essential tool for organizations aiming to maintain strict drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period in Macon, NC
Hair follicle drug tests provide an unparalleled detection window that can reach up to 90 days. Such an extensive period offers employers in Macon the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of a candidate or employee's substance use history, which is something urine tests cannot achieve.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure and Tamper-Resistant Testing in Macon, NC
The resilience of hair follicle testing against sample tampering positions it as one of the most reliable methods for drug testing. Unlike other testing procedures, the integrity of the hair sample is preserved, ensuring that results remain credible and undeniable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Access to Testing Locations in Macon, NC
With a well-distributed network of testing centers nationwide and in Macon, individuals and organizations can easily access drug testing services. This convenience ensures that testing is efficient and hassle-free, reducing the time and effort involved in locating a testing center.

Simple, Confidential Process

Easy and Private Process in Macon, NC
The procedure for ordering, taking, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests is designed to be straightforward and confidential. Each step is tailored to address privacy concerns, providing a seamless experience for those who require testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective and Quick Turnaround Options in Macon, NC
Our competitive pricing and fast turnaround times offer excellent value for businesses seeking efficient drug testing solutions. An investment in hair follicle testing lends peace of mind, knowing that results are delivered quickly and at a reasonable cost.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Speedy and Reliable Results in Macon, NC
The hair follicle drug test is renowned for its swiftness and reliability. By accurately identifying substance use, it ensures that results are not only precise but also delivered quickly. The meticulous detection capability of hair testing gives peace of mind to employers and individuals alike, allowing them to act swiftly based on the results provided.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Macon, NC
Hair follicle testing facilitates adherence to workplace drug policies, significantly mitigating legal risks and reinforcing safety measures. By choosing this robust method, employers in Macon can foster a secure working environment while avoiding potential legal complications associated with non-compliance.

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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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