Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Misenheimer, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now regarded as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug exposure by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When taken near the scalp, it can show a timeframe of up to approximately three months for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimum collection size for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary phases involved in the laboratory analysis of a drug test sample include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial processing of a specimen within a lab’s system. This involves ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and sent, generating a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid examination for substance use. While Screening is an economical method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive Screening result must be validated to be legally binding. Any samples that result in a presumptive positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

In cases where samples are presumptively positive during Screening, extra hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other approaches (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging method to conduct.

Any positive result from screening undergoes Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standard and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: It is extremely difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal drug use patterns over time, not limited to recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Detection of drugs in hair takes approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug screening techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal hair growth variations can impact the concentration of drug markers in hair.

Note: Although commonly called “hair follicle tests”, the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Misenheimer, NC

Hair follicle tests in Misenheimer, NC, offer numerous advantages over traditional urine tests. The extended detection period and robust accuracy provide superior insights into a person's substance use, making it an ideal choice for employers seeking thorough drug screening solutions. This method ensures higher reliability and fewer chances of result manipulation.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Misenheimer, NC

Hair follicle testing in Misenheimer, NC, offers an extended detection window up to 90 days, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of an individual's drug history. For employers, this long-term perspective is invaluable in assessing the suitability and responsibility of candidates or current employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Misenheimer, NC

The integrity of hair follicle testing in Misenheimer, NC, stands out with its tamper-resistant nature. Its design minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, offering a reliable solution for drug testing needs. The results are indisputable, assuring employers of accurate evaluations of potential and current employees for substance abuse.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Misenheimer, NC

Accredited Drug Testing offers unparalleled convenience with nationwide centers, including accessible local testing facilities in Misenheimer, NC. We ensure a quick and hassle-free process for hair follicle drug testing, allowing individuals and businesses seamless access to our comprehensive drug testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Misenheimer, NC

The procedure for hair follicle testing in Misenheimer, NC, is straightforward and private. We prioritize confidentiality from ordering to receiving results, making the process stress-free. Our discreet approach addresses privacy concerns, ensuring a secure and simple experience tailored to your needs.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Misenheimer, NC

Our competitive pricing models in Misenheimer, NC, align affordability with quick result delivery in hair follicle testing. Businesses can rely on our cost-effective services, optimizing value and supporting budgetary constraints while benefiting from rapid turnaround times and precise results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Misenheimer, NC

In Misenheimer, NC, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched precision and efficiency. Their quick delivery of results, coupled with a high level of accuracy, makes them the preferred choice for substance detection. Companies benefit from receiving prompt and reliable information, providing confidence in their hiring and maintenance of drug-free workplaces.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Misenheimer, NC

Employers in Misenheimer, NC, gain compliance and peace of mind through hair follicle testing as it reinforces drug-free policies. This approach reduces legal risks and fosters a safe work environment, enhancing workplace safety and productivity while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards in drug screening.

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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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