Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mountain Home, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations are increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By embedding biomarkers within the strands during hair growth, hair offers an extended history of substance use. When taken near the scalp, it can reveal usage within roughly a 3-month timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields approximately 100mg—ideal for analyses. For EtG, additional checks, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for weighing is suggested. In instances where scalp hair isn't present, an equivalent quantity of body hair might be used. Whenever mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Key stages in lab processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab's system, verifying proper sealing and shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While it is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use in the majority of samples, a positive result requires confirmation for court acceptance. Any samples showing a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate secondary verification.

Should a sample show a presumptive positive at Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis the most complex method.

Confirmation for any positive Screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as needed. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is rigorously examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair tests can detect drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair test is notably challenging, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It displays patterns of drug use over time, not just recent consumption.

Constraints:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs typically become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair tests are generally pricier than other drug testing options.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", this test examines the hair strand itself and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mountain Home, NC

Employing hair follicle tests provides clear advantages over traditional urine tests.

• Superior detection accuracy makes substance tracing more reliable.
• Extended detection period captures a broader scope of substance history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mountain Home, NC

Employers in Mountain Home significantly benefit from hair follicle testing with its extended detection window.

• Covering drug usage up to 90 days.
• Comprehensive evaluations offering clearer insights into employee behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mountain Home, NC

Hair follicle testing greatly minimizes the risk of tampering.

• Provides reliable and unquestionable outcomes.
• Secure methods ensure the authenticity of samples.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mountain Home, NC

Our extensive network simplifies access to tests across Mountain Home.

• Quick, seamless and hassle-free test processes.
• Locations nationwide ensure accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mountain Home, NC

Secure and straightforward processes are ensured for acquiring, conducting, and receiving test outcomes.

• Emphasis on privacy and ease.
• User-friendly experiences guarantee confidentiality.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mountain Home, NC

Our competitive pricing strategy complements swift result deliveries.

• Exceptional value across company scales.
• Peace of mind with rapid turnaround times.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mountain Home, NC

The proficiency and swiftness of hair follicle tests in Mountain Home, NC, stand unmatched. These tests provide vivid accuracy in tracing substance utilization.

• Precision: Hair testing delivers more precise results compared to alternatives.
• Speed: Quick results lead to better decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mountain Home, NC

Implementing hair testing helps adhere to drug-free workplace mandates.

• Reduces legal and insurance risks.
• Elevates workplace safety and compliance.

Drug Testing Near Mountain Home, NC

Skyland, NC

East Flat Rock, NC

Royal Pines, NC

Avery Creek, NC

Hoopers Creek, NC

Etowah, NC

Barker Heights, NC

Valley Hill, NC

Midway, NC

Henderson, NC

Hendersonville, NC

Fletcher, NC

Mills River, NC

Horse Shoe, NC

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews