Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Roaring Gap, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a highly effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair strands capture biomarkers within their fibers as they grow, providing a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use. When taken near the scalp, they can offer a detection window of up to approximately three months for both alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

An ideal sample consists of a 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, yielding 100mg of hair for effective screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional assessments, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a sample of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, while body hair encompasses all other types, including facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result, which include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample is initially processed into a laboratory's system. This step ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to rule out drug use in most samples, any positive result here requires confirmation to hold up in court. Presumptively positive samples in the Screening step must undergo secondary confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other techniques (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging methods to execute.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptively positive undergo a washing process before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is rigorously reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs are detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: The concentration of drug metabolites in hair can be affected by factors like hair color and individual hair growth rates.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Roaring Gap, NC
Comparing hair and urine tests highlights the superior detection accuracy of hair follicle testing. Hair testing offers better reliability and longer detection windows, ensuring that drug use is identified more effectively than traditional urine tests. This makes it a preferred option for employers and organizations demanding strict compliance.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Roaring Gap, NC
Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window, capturing substance use over a much longer timeframe, up to 90 days. For employers, this longer window provides a complete picture of a person's substance habits, helping in comprehensive evaluations of history and behavior, far exceeding what urine tests can offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Roaring Gap, NC
Hair follicle tests drastically reduce the chances of sample tampering or adulteration. Due to the nature of hair collection and analysis, test results remain credible and almost impossible to falsify. This advantage promotes trust in the accuracy and integrity of the results, assuring stakeholders of their authenticity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Roaring Gap, NC
Our network of testing centers spans the nation, making testing services accessible and convenient. Whether in Roaring Gap, NC, or beyond, clients have quick, hassle-free access to testing locations, ensuring ease of service and minimal disruption to their daily routines, no matter their location.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Roaring Gap, NC
The process is designed to be straightforward and confidential, from ordering the test to receiving results. Ensuring privacy and simplicity is paramount, and our streamlined procedures address any concerns about confidentiality while maintaining ease of use for individuals and employers alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Roaring Gap, NC
Our pricing structures are highly competitive, providing excellent value for businesses of any size. Coupled with rapid turnaround times, our services offer companies the assurance of trustworthy results quickly and affordably, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Roaring Gap, NC
Hair follicle drug testing provides quick, accurate detection of substance use. By analyzing hair, results deliver precision, ensuring reliable insights into drug consumption. This method is recognized for its speed, offering a thorough overview of an individual's history with substances, setting a standard for rapid and trustworthy assessments.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Roaring Gap, NC
Employers can rely on hair follicle testing to ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method not only reduces legal liabilities but also boosts workplace safety and compliance. Hair testing fosters a secure work environment, granting employers peace of mind and minimizing risks associated with substance abuse.

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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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