Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Maury, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a potent method for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair that grows, hair offers a chronological record of alcohol and drugs. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection period of up to roughly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively challenging to alter, and simple to dispatch.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be gathered. When referring to head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial flow of a sample into a lab’s system. This encompasses verifying that the sample was accurately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody framework.

Screening involves a superficial swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. Despite Screening being an economical approach to discount drug usage for most samples, a favorable screen necessitates confirmation for court admissibility. Any samples suggestively positive in Screening mandate an auxiliary confirmation.

Should a sample be suggestively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other procedures (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug assessment ranks as the most intricate methodology to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS conducts confirmation of any favorable screening outcome. All samples presumed to be positive undergo a cleansing before confirmation as required. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug assessments can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: The complexity of deceiving a hair drug test enhances the precision of results.
• Yields historical info: It can illustrate a trend of drug use over time, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments are typically costlier than other drug assessment techniques.
• Outcome variations: Elements like hair color and personal variations in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Benefits of Hair Testing vs. Urine Testing in Maury, NC

The superiority of hair testing in Maury, NC, lies in its longer detection period and enhanced accuracy compared to urine tests. Hair tests uncover drug use over months rather than days, providing a broader view of substance habits while maintaining resistance against tampering. Employers seeking precise and truthful insights find hair testing advantageous.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Maury, NC

Offering insights into a person's drug use over an extended period, hair follicle testing's ability to review a three-month history is unmatched. This broad window allows employers to understand an individual's consistent drug habits, crucial for informed hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Maury, NC

With its reliable methodology, hair follicle testing minimizes the chance of adulteration, ensuring trust in the results. The difficulty in manipulating a hair sample provides assurance, making it a preferred choice for those prioritizing accuracy and dependability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Maury, NC

Our Maury, NC locations, along with national centers, offer easy and accessible drug testing solutions. This widespread availability eliminates the stress of finding testing services, making the experience efficient and simple for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Testing in Maury, NC

The process of ordering, undergoing, and receiving hair test results is straightforward and secure, ensuring participant privacy. This simplicity promotes comfort and confidence for those undergoing testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable and Prompt Testing in Maury, NC

Our competitive pricing coupled with quick result delivery makes hair follicle testing a cost-effective choice for businesses. This ensures peace of mind with fast results, ideal for companies of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Reliable Results in Maury, NC

Hair follicle testing excels in speed, precision, and accuracy for detecting substance use. The method offers fast turnarounds, providing results that employers and individuals can trust. By ensuring swift and accurate detection, hair testing sets a reliable standard for drug testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind in Maury, NC

Employers committed to drug-free workplaces benefit from the compliance and assurance that hair follicle testing delivers. It aids in mitigating legal issues and promoting a safer, more productive work environment by reliably validating drug-free policies.

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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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