Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pelham, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for detecting the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair fiber. If collected near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection span for substances. The collection process is straightforward, moderately resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a like quantity of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory workflow for processing a drug test result includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s system. This stage involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transferred, giving it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing supplementary data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method for eliminating drug use in most samples, a positive finding needs confirmation for court acceptance. Samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is accomplished using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples tentatively positive are cleaned prior to confirmation if required. The end-to-end laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair category and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, contrasting with urine tests that have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to tamper with: The difficulty in tampering with a hair drug test enhances the accuracy of results.
• Offers historical insight: It can illustrate a pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Unable to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why prefer hair follicle testing over urine testing in Pelham, NC? Hair tests surpass urine tests by providing an extended detection period, capturing drug or alcohol use more reliably.
Hair's capability to retain substances longer reveals usage history more effectively. Such thoroughness delivers unbeatable advantages, ensuring employers and professionals have a more accurate assessment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Pelham, NC offers a remarkable detection window of up to 90 days. This extended period provides employers with a comprehensive view of an individual's substance usage over time.
Understanding an applicant's or employee's drug history is crucial for making informed decisions, and hair testing excels in offering such insights. Capture a broader, more accurate snapshot with hair follicle testing.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Pelham, NC boasts the advantages of hair follicle tests due to their resistance to tampering. Unlike other methods, these tests are nearly impossible to adulterate.
Such robustness ensures that results remain valid and reliable, offering unquestionable authenticity. In situations demanding integrity and accuracy, hair follicle testing leads the way by significantly reducing the chances of test manipulation.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Finding a testing center is straightforward with Accredited Drug Testing's extensive footprint, including locations in Pelham, NC.
Convenience is key, and nationwide centers facilitate quick and hassle-free test access. Local availability underscores the ease of obtaining tests without disrupting schedules. Wherever you are, from the local vicinity to broader national coverage, our centers are ready to serve.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Pelham, NC is simple and confidential, prioritizing privacy from start to finish. Ordering a test, undergoing testing, and receiving results all occur smoothly and discreetly.
Confidentiality assures clients that their private matters remain private. Focusing on ease of use, our streamlined procedures facilitate a comfortable, stress-free experience for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and rapid results characterize our testing service in Pelham, NC. Hair follicle tests provide excellent value by balancing affordability with quick turnaround times.
Companies of any size can benefit from such cost-effective solutions, ensuring their investments yield substantial returns in accuracy and satisfaction. Discover financial savings without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Pelham, NC, the hair follicle drug test stands out for its speed and precision in identifying substance use. Unlike traditional methods, hair testing offers reliable results with unparalleled accuracy.
Its capability to precisely detect drugs or alcohol makes it a preferred choice for those seeking dependable testing solutions. With hair follicle testing, stakeholders can ensure the highest standards of accuracy in substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pelham, NC can achieve compliance with drug-free policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This method bolsters workplace safety, mitigates legal risks, and fosters a cohesive environment.
A commitment to reliable testing practices ensures a safer, more lawful workplace. Making informed, safe choices positions a company at the forefront of excellence and due diligence.

Drug Testing Near Pelham, NC

Green Level, NC

Glen Raven, NC

Price, NC

Stoneville, NC

Ossipee, NC

Altamahaw, NC

Leasburg, NC

Wentworth, NC

Norwood, NC

Eden, NC

Rockingham, NC

Reidsville, NC

Bethlehem, NC

Yanceyville, NC

Ruffin, 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