Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Millingport, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is highly regarded as an efficient method for detecting the use of drugs and alcohol. It offers a prolonged history of substance usage by preserving biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When collected near the scalp, it can offer an approximate detection period of three months for alcohol and drugs. With straightforward collection, limited potential for tampering, and ease of shipping, hair testing is advantageous.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and confirming. For EtG, additional tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is optimal. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. "Head hair" denotes only scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other hair, such as facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

The lab processing of a drug test result comprises four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab's system, involving verification of proper sealing and shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing additional data entry as needed beyond digital chain of custody inputs.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for drugs. While it's an economical approach for ruling out drug use in most samples, any positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Presumptively positive samples in Screening need secondary confirmation.

In case of a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening highly challenging to execute.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized per both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Capable of detecting drugs for as long as 90 days, surpassing the shorter window of urine tests.
• Challenging to manipulate: The difficulty in cheating increases the accuracy of results.
• Provides usage history: It depicts a pattern of drug usage over an extended period rather than only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after around 5-7 days.
• Expense: More costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Hair characteristics and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Millingport, NC, comparing hair testing with urine testing shows hair's superior efficacy. Hair tests offer better detection accuracy and are more reliable, standing out as the superior choice. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair tests provide a longer detection period, minimizing the chances of drug use escaping unnoticed.

Extended Detection Window

In Millingport, NC, the extended window of detection is a hallmark of hair follicle testing. It identifies drug use for up to 90 days, offering employers a detailed perspective of substance history. This duration far exceeds that of a urine test, providing more comprehensive insight into an individual's past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Millingport, NC, are much less susceptible to tampering compared to other methods. The likelihood of altering or adulterating these samples is significantly reduced, delivering reliable and unquestionable outcomes that reassure both employers and individuals.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing facilities in Millingport, NC, and across the nation ensure accessible, efficient services. These locations provide convenient and hassle-free testing experiences, supporting prompt and easy access no matter where you are.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Millingport, NC, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private. From the order to the results, the process ensures confidentiality and ease of use, addressing privacy concerns effectively for those seeking discreet testing solutions.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and quick turnaround, our services in Millingport, NC, ensure excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our affordable pricing structures and fast results provide peace of mind and efficiency for current or prospective employer needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Millingport, NC, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their swift and precise output. These tests yield dependable results by accurately identifying substance use. Not only do they work quickly, but the tests are also renowned for their thorough accuracy, setting a standard in drug testing verifications.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Millingport, NC, can benefit from hair follicle testing to ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method minimizes legal risks, promotes workplace safety, and provides peace of mind, by strengthening compliance and maintaining an environment of trust and safety.

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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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