Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Raynham, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug usage by embedding biomarkers within the growing strands. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, challenging to tamper with, and straightforward to ship.

A sample of 1.5 inches with around 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is preferred. It's advised to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, while 'body hair' includes all other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results comprises four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the preliminary incorporation of a sample into the lab's system, ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and mailed, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any data entry missing from the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial, quick examination for abused drugs. Though an economical method to exclude drug use in most samples, any positive result in Screening requires confirmation to be legally valid. Samples showing presumptive positives at this stage necessitate further confirmation.

If Screening shows presumptive positivity, additional hair is extracted for the Extraction process. Here, drugs are separated from hair at lower concentrations than in other methods (like urine or oral fluids), making hair drug screening highly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples indicating presumptive positives undergo a necessary wash before confirmation. The complete laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to manipulate: Hair drug tests are challenging to deceive, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Offers historical insight: It depicts a pattern of drug consumption over a duration rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are costlier than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates can alter drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicles beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Raynham, NC

Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests when it comes to detection accuracy and reliability. In Raynham, NC, this method is preferred by employers and courts, given its extended window of detection and less susceptibility to manipulation, making it an invaluable tool in maintaining safety and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Raynham, NC

Hair follicle drug testing in Raynham, NC, offers a significant advantage with its long detection period, up to 90 days. This extended window provides an in-depth look into an individual's drug use history, equipping employers with valuable insights that contribute to informed decision-making and compliance with workplace policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Raynham, NC

In Raynham, NC, hair follicle tests reduce the likelihood of sample tampering significantly. By providing results that are difficult to falsify, these tests ensure that employers and legal officials can depend on the authenticity and accuracy of the findings, reducing doubts and instilling trust in the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Raynham, NC

Our testing centers, spread across the nation, including Raynham, NC, offer unrivaled convenience. Accessible and easy to use, they ensure that individuals and employers can have hair follicle tests conducted swiftly and without hassle, reinforcing our commitment to premium service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Raynham, NC

• Ordering and completing a hair follicle test in Raynham, NC, is straightforward and secure.
• Our process ensures your privacy, delivering results directly and discreetly.
• Concerns about confidentiality are minimized with our streamlined and user-centric approach.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Raynham, NC

In Raynham, NC, we pride ourselves on providing competitive prices paired with swift turnaround times. This combination not only assures savings but also offers companies exceptional value and confidence, irrespective of their size, making us the preferred choice for drug testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Raynham, NC

In Raynham, NC, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and rapidity. Offering high accuracy, these tests ensure the correct detection of substance use, addressing the core needs of employers and legal entities. Their reliability and detailed analyses foster confidence in the testing process.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Raynham, NC

• Adopting hair follicle tests in Raynham, NC, enhances compliance with drug-free workplace policies.
• These tests help mitigate potential legal issues while maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
• Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are effectively managing workplace safety.

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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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