Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Old Hundred, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. This method offers a long-term view of substance use by capturing biomarkers in the fibers of growing hair strands. Sampling hair near the scalp can reveal use over an approximately 3-month period. The process of hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and convenient for transportation.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp is ideal, providing 100mg for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for accurate measurement. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar volume of body hair is acceptable. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair. Conversely, body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory analysis of a drug test is divided into four major steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the initial integration of a sample into the lab's framework. It includes checking the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

The Screening phase acts as a preliminary examination for drug substances. It's an economical approach to exclude drug use in the majority of cases; however, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be permissible in legal proceedings. Samples presumed positive in Screening must be secondarily verified.

For samples with presumptive positives in Screening, more hair is extracted from the initial batch and prepared for Extraction. At this step, drugs are withdrawn from hair at far lower concentrations than other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening particularly complex to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is performed employing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples necessitate washing before confirmation as required. Every stage of the process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes a review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, surpassing the shorter detection period of urine tests.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are challenging to evade, thus ensuring greater accuracy in results.
• Historical consumption data: It shows a pattern of use over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of sensing recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than other testing methods.
• Result variances: Aspects like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines 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 Old Hundred, NC, hair follicle tests overshadow traditional urine tests by providing superior detection accuracy and extended reliability. While urine tests typically offer a narrower detection range, hair tests accurately identify drug use up to 90 days. This long-term traceability makes hair testing remarkably advantageous for detailed substance histories.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
In Old Hundred, NC, hair follicle testing provides unmatched insight with its prolonged detection window of up to 90 days. This capability presents employers with a comprehensive perspective of an individual's substance history. With this extended timeframe, employers can make informed decisions based on thorough assessments of drug use over an extended period.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant approach to drug screening in Old Hundred, NC. This method significantly curtails the potential for sample tampering, ensuring that results are reliable and beyond question. This robustness provides both employers and individuals peace of mind, with assurance of the test's integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Old Hundred, NC, benefits from convenient access to our extensive network of nationwide testing centers. This comprehensive reach ensures that testing services are quick, easy, and hassle-free, reinforcing the commitment to providing efficient and accessible testing solutions across the country.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process
Our drug testing service in Old Hundred, NC, is defined by its simplicity and confidentiality. The streamlined nature of ordering, taking, and receiving test results ensures privacy concerns are addressed effectively. This straightforward approach guarantees ease of use, maintaining the integrity and discretion of the entire process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Old Hundred, NC, we offer competitive pricing structures alongside rapid turnaround times for hair follicle tests. This approach delivers excellent value for businesses of various sizes, providing both cost-effective solutions and the peace of mind that comes with swift and reliable service.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results
In Old Hundred, NC, the speed and precision of hair follicle drug testing make it an outstanding choice. This method boasts exceptional accuracy in identifying substance use, ensuring you receive dependable results swiftly. The efficiency of this process is crucial for employers and individuals alike, who can trust in its reliability to deliver quick outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
In Old Hundred, NC, using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies, which is crucial in minimizing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety. Employers gain confidence in maintaining a secure environment, underscoring the significance of adhering to these protocols with dependable testing methods.

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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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