Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Salemburg, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now regarded as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers an extended history of substance use. When collected near the scalp, it provides a detection window for alcohol and drugs of up to three months. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair sample comprising roughly 200 strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) from the scalp yields 100mg, which is ideal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. We advocate weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair can't be obtained, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. References to head hair imply scalp hair only, whereas body hair includes facial, axillary, and other types.

Process Overview

The four key steps in the lab processing of a drug test are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system. This step includes verifying that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Samples that test presumptively positive in Screening require secondary confirmation.

For samples testing positive in Screen, more hair is extracted from the original specimen for the Extraction phase. At this stage, substances are extracted at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair testing one of the most challenging methodologies.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed if required before confirmation. The entire lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, falls under the review of both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection time: Hair tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to deceive: The difficulty in cheating a hair drug test makes the results more reliable.
• Chronicles historical use: It reveals a pattern of substance use over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Lacks recent use detection: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair tests are generally pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests", they analyze the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Salemburg, NC
Hair tests present significant advantages over urine testing by offering extensive detection capabilities, superior precision, and accuracy. Whereas urine tests offer a snapshot of recent drug use, hair tests give a broader view of an individual’s history, providing more comprehensive insights into their substance use patterns.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Salemburg, NC
Hair follicle testing allows employers to benefit from an extended detection time-frame, reaching up to 90 days. This extensive window offers a thorough assessment of an employee or candidate's history concerning substance use, presenting a larger picture than other testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Salemburg, NC
Significantly minimizing the chance of adulterated samples, hair follicle tests offer undeniable reliability in results. The collection method makes altering samples nearly impossible, thus establishing a trustworthy drug testing process that ensures authenticity in Salemburg, NC.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations in Salemburg, NC and Beyond
Our extensive network of testing facilities across the nation assures convenient, efficient access to drug testing services. In Salemburg, NC, individuals and businesses can experience quick and straightforward access, enhancing the testing process's overall ease.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Salemburg, NC
Enjoy a straightforward and private testing procedure, from the moment you order to receiving the results. Our commitment to confidentiality and ease ensures that clients' concerns regarding privacy are addressed and that the process remains user-friendly in Salemburg, NC.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable and Fast Turnaround in Salemburg, NC
Our competitive pricing structures and speedy result delivery offer substantial value for businesses of all sizes. We ensure quick service without compromising service quality, allowing for impressive efficiency while maintaining affordability.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate Results in Salemburg, NC
Hair follicle tests provide swift and precise outcomes, offering remarkable accuracy in identifying drug usage. These tests assure detection of substances, ensuring reliability in results. With the capability to effectively highlight substance intake, hair follicle tests stand out for their meticulous precision and quick turnaround in Salemburg, NC.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Salemburg, NC
The use of hair follicle testing assures adherence to drug-free workplace policies. It aids employers in reducing legal challenges and enhancing safety, delivering peace of mind by promoting stringent compliance and secure working environments.

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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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