Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Merrimon, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended record of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use up to a 90-day detection period. It is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch hair sample consisting of around 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) near the scalp provides 100mg, which is optimal for analysis and verification. For in-depth testing such as EtG, add-ons, or tests over 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. It's best to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. Should scalp hair not be an option, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. Referring to head hair exclusively implies scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair categories (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the initial sample processing into a lab's system, ensuring it was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data entry absent in an electronic custody system.

Screening conducts an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. Though Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, any positive outcome must be confirmed for legal admissibility. Presumptively positive samples during Screening necessitate subsequent verification.

For presumptive positives in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, the extraction of drugs from hair occurs at diminished concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), which highlights the complexity of hair drug testing.

All positive screening results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Necessary washing of all presumptive positive samples is part of the confirmation process. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under the oversight of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long-term detection: Hair testing identifies drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Manipulating a hair drug test is highly challenging, ensuring precise results.
• Reveals historical patterns: It can outline drug use trends over time, beyond recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs need about 5-7 days post-consumption to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screening typically costs more than other testing options.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal hair growth rates influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," these tests actually assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Merrimon, NC, hair follicle testing offers superior benefits over traditional urine testing. Its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability make it the favored choice for identifying drug use. Hair tests offer a more robust detection capability, unaffected by temporary countermeasures that might affect urine testing results.

Extended Detection Window

With the ability to trace substance usage over an extended timeframe of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Merrimon, NC provides employers with an extensive perspective on employees' drug history. This prolonged detection window is unmatched by conventional testing methods, offering a comprehensive evaluation.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Merrimon, NC is a distinct method that significantly minimizes the possibility of tampering. The secure and reliable nature of this testing process assures clients of getting results that accurately reflect the true substance use of individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With conveniently located centers across the nation, including Merrimon, NC, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and straightforward. Our numerous locations ensure that clients can obtain necessary testing with utmost ease and minimal delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our hair follicle testing process in Merrimon, NC is both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to collecting samples and receiving results, every step is designed to prioritize user privacy while maintaining a straightforward experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift turnaround times, our hair follicle testing services in Merrimon, NC deliver exceptional value. Regardless of the size of your company, you can rely on us for cost-effective and timely results, enhancing peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The efficiency and precision of hair follicle drug testing in Merrimon, NC make it a preferred method for detecting substance use. Hair tests offer fast and accurate results, giving clients confidence in their assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Merrimon, NC, employing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace policies promoting a drug-free environment. This compliance reduces legal vulnerabilities and elevates overall workplace safety, providing employers a sense of security and peace of mind.

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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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