Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Pisgah Forest, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective mechanism for identifying substance use. Hair acts as a long-term library for alcohol and drugs, storing biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When clipped near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month history of alcohol and drug consumption. It is also easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing approximately 200 hairs (roughly the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is an optimal sample for examination and validation. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advisable. We advise using a jeweler's scale for specimen measurement. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core stages in processing a lab drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves integrating a sample into a lab’s workflow, which entails ensuring the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry that an e-chain custody system doesn’t cover.

Screening is an initial, rapid assessment for drug use. While it helps economically exclude drug consumption in most cases, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be legally valid. Any samples flagged as potentially positive during Screening mandate a follow-up confirmation.

Should a sample show potential positivity in Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology.

Confirmation for any positive screening outcome is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation, as necessary. The entire process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can reveal drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests with shorter detection ranges.
• High difficulty in manipulation: Cheating a hair drug analysis is extremely challenging, making results more reliable.
• Shows consumption patterns: It outlines drug usage trends over time, rather than indicating only recent usage.

Limitations:

• Unable to capture recent usage: Drugs generally take 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings are generally pricier than other testing techniques.
• Inconsistent results: Factors such as hair color and individual growth differences can impact metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Pisgah Forest, NC, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine testing for several reasons. Its extended detection period surpasses the limitations of urine tests, identifying substance use up to 90 days prior.
Benefits of Hair Follicle Testing

• Longer detection time
• Greater accuracy
• More reliable results

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Pisgah Forest, NC, offers significant advantages. It tracks drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which only cover a few days.
This prolonged period gives a detailed history of substance use, crucial for employers evaluating potential hires or monitoring current employees.
Such comprehensive insights allow for informed decisions, enhancing safety and compliance in workplaces by providing a complete view of an individual's drug habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Pisgah Forest, NC, hair follicle testing significantly reduces the chances of sample tampering, offering dependable results. Its collection process is observed, making manipulation nearly impossible.
This test's strength lies in its resilience against common cheating methods seen in urine testing, such as sample dilution or substitution.
Employers can trust the integrity of results, knowing hair follicle tests provide an accurate reflection of a person's drug use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Testing services in Pisgah Forest, NC, are conveniently accessible with our nationwide and local centers. Easy access and quick services make the process hassle-free.
Our centers provide a wide network, enabling fast and efficient testing for all individuals and organizations.
Whether you're a resident or business, our extensive network ensures testing is never far or difficult to access, enhancing convenience and ease for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Pisgah Forest, NC, is simple, efficient, and confidential. Clients can order tests, provide samples, and receive results without complications.
Our focus on confidentiality protects client privacy, offering peace of mind throughout the testing process.
From start to finish, the user-friendly process ensures ease, providing all information securely and timely while keeping individuals comfortable.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in Pisgah Forest, NC, make our hair follicle testing an excellent value for companies of all sizes.
Clients benefit from competitive rates without compromising quality or accuracy.
The combination of fair pricing and swift results makes these tests a smart choice for businesses seeking reliable drug screening solutions without breaking the bank.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Pisgah Forest, NC, hair follicle drug tests provide speedy and precise results, setting a high standard in substance detection. Their efficiency allows for quick turnaround without compromising on accuracy.
Clients receive detailed reports promptly, ensuring that decisions are based on the most accurate data available, promoting trust and reliability.
With unparalleled precision, hair testing identifies substance use accurately, ensuring no drug use goes undetected.
Relying on advanced technology, these tests consistently yield reliable results, building confidence among employers and clients alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Pisgah Forest, NC, gain peace of mind through hair follicle testing to maintain workplace safety and compliance. This method aids in meeting drug-free policies effectively.
By using hair testing, employers minimize legal risks and foster a safer work environment.
The assurance that results are accurate and tamper-proof ensures adherence to workplace policies, contributing to a secure and productive workspace for everyone involved.

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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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