Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Mountain View, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term record of alcohol and drug use. Hair specimens collected near the scalp can reveal drug or alcohol use over a period extending up to roughly three months. Hair sampling is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length, comprising around 200 hair strands (approximating the width of a #2 pencil), and closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for screening and confirmation. For EtG tests, additional analyses, or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a specimen weighing 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen is advisable. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. In reference to head hair, we imply scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning includes the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This step verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any supplementary data entry not available via an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial swift assessment for prohibited drugs. Although cost-effective, Screening requires confirmation for legal admissibility if a positive result is obtained. Presumptively positive samples during Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

In cases of presumptive positives during Screening, further hair from the original specimen is extracted for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from hair at lower concentrations than found in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing particularly challenging.

The Confirmation of any positive Screening result relies on techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Positive samples undergo washing prior to Confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation in compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use over a span of up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection range.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is highly improbable, ensuring higher accuracy in results.
• Historical insight: It reveals drug consumption patterns over time rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: Detecting drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur greater costs compared to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Influences such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Mountain View, NC
Hair follicle testing provides a superior alternative to traditional urine testing by offering a more accurate detection of substance use over extended periods. Its reliability makes it a preferred choice among employers and professionals seeking certainty in drug screening results, eliminating the uncertainty often associated with urine tests.

Compared to urine tests, hair testing significantly reduces false negatives, presenting a clearer picture of an individual's substance history. Employers demanding high compliance standards in Mountain View, NC, choose hair testing to ensure rigorous adherence to workplace drug policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Mountain View, NC
Hair follicle testing reveals a comprehensive timeline of drug use, effectively covering a 90-day period. This extended detection window provides employers a detailed insight into an individual’s substance consumption, enabling a thorough assessment of a potential or current employee’s drug history.

The three-month scope of hair testing far surpasses the limitations of other methods. Employers in Mountain View, NC can thus gain a more complete understanding, ensuring their workforce maintains the standards expected over longer periods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Mountain View, NC
Hair follicle tests significantly lower the risk of sample tampering, providing reliable and unchallengeable results. This method ensures test integrity, making it the go-to choice for entities that demand unquestionable screening outcomes, which is crucial for maintaining strict compliance in delicate scenarios.

Employers in Mountain View, NC can rely on this method to secure reliable data, free from outside alterations, thus upholding a genuine front for employee screening practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Mountain View, NC
With a network of testing centers across the nation, accessing hair follicle tests is straightforward and convenient. Mountain View, NC residents and businesses can easily avail themselves of quick and hassle-free testing services, thanks to the accessibility of local centers.

Our widespread presence simplifies the testing process, ensuring that concerns around location-related inconveniences are minimized, making testing an effortless endeavor.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Mountain View, NC
The process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is designed to be simple yet secure, guaranteeing confidentiality throughout. Those concerned about privacy and ease of use can trust that their information remains protected and the procedure straightforward.

Mountain View, NC clients are reassured of an easy experience, backed by privacy, ensuring that all steps from test request to result retrieval are conducted with the utmost discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Mountain View, NC
Competitive pricing structures combined with quick result turnaround times emphasize the value offered by hair follicle testing. Companies of all sizes in Mountain View, NC can benefit from cost-effective drug testing solutions that provide peace of mind without stretching budgets.

The rapid delivery of results ensures employers can make timely decisions, enhancing the operational efficiency and effectiveness of their drug screening protocols.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Mountain View, NC
The precision of hair follicle drug tests stands out, making them an ideal choice for detecting substance use efficiently. Their ability to rapidly yield highly accurate results is unmatched, helping employers make informed decisions swiftly, ensuring that any issues around substance use are addressed without delay.

Thanks to their advanced science, hair follicle tests are precise, leaving little room for error or doubt. As a result, organizations in Mountain View, NC benefit from quick and reliable insights into substance-related concerns among their workforce, facilitating a safer working environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Mountain View, NC
Implementing hair follicle testing ensures that employers stay compliant with workplace drug-free policies, significantly decreasing legal risk while enhancing safety standards. This testing approach offers peace of mind, knowing that policies are upheld and that the workforce is monitored thoroughly for substance use undermining workplace safety.

Mountain View, NC offices benefit from the assurance that their drug screening protocols are aligned with the highest standards, fostering a secure working atmosphere.

Drug Testing Near Mountain View, NC

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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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