Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Red Oak, NC

What it is, How it works

Utilizing hair testing has emerged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a long-lasting record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair shaft. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer a detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs extending up to nearly 90 days. Hair is easy to collect, fairly resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and validation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or screenings exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar volume of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair references all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial phase of inputting a sample into the lab's system. This process includes ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage on most samples, a positive result must be confirmed to be valid in a legal context. Any samples that show presumptive positivity in Screening necessitate additional confirmation.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, more hair is separated from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this process, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which contributes to hair drug testing's status as the most challenging method to conduct.

Any positive results identified at the screening stage are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptive positive are washed before confirmation when required. The entirety of the laboratory processing from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug tests are capable of identifying drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Resistance to cheating: Cheating on a hair drug test proves to be very difficult, resulting in more accurate outcomes.
• Historical insight: Hair drug testing offers a usage pattern over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days before drugs become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites within the hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is performed on the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Red Oak, NC, opting for hair follicle testing over urine testing showcases superior advantages in accuracy and reliability. With the longer detection period available in hair sampling, employers can ascertain a more extensive history of drug usage. This advantage provides workplaces with crucial insights that standard urine tests, limited to shorter detection windows, cannot offer.

Hair follicle testing is preferred when dependability is paramount. Unlike urine tests, often susceptible to manipulation, hair tests are virtually foolproof in their reliability, capturing substance use history accurately from collected samples. Hence, for stringent drug policies, hair testing stands out as an optimal choice given its robustness against potential tampering.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle drug tests in Red Oak, NC, surpasses that of traditional testing methods, offering a comprehensive overview of an individual's drug use for up to 90 days. Employers benefit from this clarity as it provides a robust assessment of substance habits beyond recent use, empowering them to make well-rounded decisions on employment.

This broader time frame for detection not only reveals long-term usage but also supports employers aiming to maintain substance-free environments. Hair follicle tests present a formidable tool by demonstrating patterns rather than merely capturing transient traces, thereby elevating the standard of workplace safety and compliance.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the defining benefits of hair follicle testing in Red Oak, NC, is its exceptional resistance to tampering, culminating in trustworthy outcomes. In areas where urine tests may be compromised through various adulteration techniques, hair tests stand firm as a reliable method, safeguarded by the inability to alter samples post-collection.

This quality makes hair follicle drug testing the preferred option for entities insisting on accurate results. Given the secure nature of this test, businesses can rest assured that the findings presented are genuine representations of an individual's substance use history, free from any manipulative influence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing's commitment to convenience is clear with its widespread testing centers, including those in Red Oak, NC, making drug testing readily accessible. By offering services across the nation, we eliminate hassle for individuals and businesses, linking them to necessary services promptly and efficiently.

Find us locally and nationwide. This network of locations not only streamlines the testing process but also assures clients of our dedication to facilitating seamless access, reducing travel burdens while maintaining the highest service standards.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Red Oak, NC, our hair follicle testing services ensure a simple and discreet process, addressing privacy concerns effectively. Ordering, sample collection, and result delivery are streamlined to prioritize confidentiality every step of the way, preserving the anonymity and security of our clients.

This ease of use ensures that privacy is not compromised, providing unobtrusive service while maintaining trustworthy outcomes. With a focus on discretion and efficiency, individuals and businesses can confidently engage with our services without privacy apprehensions.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our pricing strategy in Red Oak, NC, underscores the affordability and rapid turnaround of hair follicle testing, delivering quality service that fits varied budgetary needs. Competitive pricing solutions make it accessible for businesses of all sizes, ensuring quality is not a costly privilege.

In tandem with affordability, our quick turnaround underscores the value we offer. Prompt services ensure that employers receive vital information swiftly, optimizing decision-making processes and ensuring resource-saving advantages.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Red Oak, NC, hair follicle drug testing combines swift and precise outcomes, offering matchless accuracy in the detection of drug use. Unlike typical methods, hair tests shine in their ability to rapidly and accurately depict an individual's substance history, usually within one to two business days. This quick delivery time supports workplaces in making informed decisions without delays.

Hair follicle testing harnesses cutting-edge technology, allowing for unparalleled reliability in identifying substance usage. Such accuracy ensures that employers can trust the results they receive, facilitating processes that demand absolute dependability. The confidence provided by this testing method alleviates ambiguity and promotes trust between employers and candidates or employees.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Red Oak, NC, offers compliance and peace of mind for employers, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies. With the implementation of stringent drug testing norms, businesses mitigate potential legal pitfalls, fostering an environment conducive to safety and productivity.

Employers benefit from lower risks and enhanced workforce management, knowing they have utilized a method resistant to cheating. This assurance, coupled with the comprehensive overview provided by hair tests, promotes a culture of integrity and security, further reinforcing employer-employee trust.

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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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