Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Seven Lakes, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments are acknowledged as impactful in detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair chronicles prolonged substance history by ensnaring biomarkers within hair fibers. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can reflect insight into approximately a 3-month period for alcohol and drug usage. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, an ideal amount for evaluation and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advocate using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair isn't obtainable, an equal mass of body hair may be gathered. Upon referencing head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other hair variations (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The quartet of primary steps in lab processing of a drug test result includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning initiates the incorporation of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This involves ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, providing it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any further data input absent from an electronic chain of custody arrangement.

Screening executes an initial rapid test for substance misuse. Even though Screening offers an economical method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, a positive indication requires confirmation to be legally acceptable. Samples suggesting positive in Screening demand secondary confirmation.

If a sample hints at positivity in the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the start specimen for preparation in Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining hair drug screening’s challenging execution.

Confirmation of any positive screening result proceeds through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The overall lab progression from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair assessments can track drug consumption for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Delivers historical insight: Capable of illustrating substance usage trends over time, beyond recent usage alone.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs are detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug assessments tend to be pricier compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Outcome variations: Variables such as hair color and individual growth paerns can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these analyses focus on the hair strand, excluding the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Seven Lakes, NC In the comparison between hair follicle and traditional urine tests, hair testing emerges superior due to enhanced detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, which are limited to short-term use, hair tests present a broader history of drug usage. They offer more credibility and accuracy, making them indispensable for employers seeking reliable assessments of compliance and substance use policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Seven Lakes, NC Hair follicle testing is pivotal for employers needing an extended view of an individual's substance use history. Capable of detecting drug use up to 90 days before, this method surpasses the limited detection periods of alternatives like urine tests. Employers can gain a detailed insight into potential hires or employees, ensuring a comprehensive overview of their substance-free commitment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Seven Lakes, NC In safeguarding result integrity, hair follicle tests stand out as tamper-resistant, significantly curtailing adulteration risks. The stringent analysis method guarantees that results are trustworthy and indisputable. This assurance makes them ideal for critical assessments in sensitive employment sectors, reinforcing trust and reliability in the screening process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Seven Lakes, NC Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide provides easy and quick access to testing services. Whether in Seven Lakes or any other city, the convenience of nearby locations ensures a seamless and hassle-free experience for individuals and employers alike, bolstering the accessibility and efficiency of our hair testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Seven Lakes, NC Emphasizing privacy and ease of use, our hair follicle testing process in Seven Lakes remains straightforward and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, we prioritize confidentiality, addressing privacy concerns, and ensuring a user-friendly experience. This streamlined approach enhances participant comfort while maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Seven Lakes, NC We offer competitive pricing alongside swift turnaround times, providing outstanding value for companies of all sizes. Our efficient processes ensure rapid results without sacrificing accuracy, allowing businesses to make informed decisions with confidence. Our pricing structures and responsiveness foster excellent client satisfaction while maintaining budget considerations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Seven Lakes, NC Hair follicle drug tests in Seven Lakes not only deliver precision but are exceptionally swift in yielding results. These tests boast unparalleled accuracy, effectively confirming recent and past substance use without delay. Ensuring the utmost dependability, hair tests are indispensable for both employers and individuals aiming for uncompromised examination.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Seven Lakes, NC Adopting hair follicle testing supports employer compliance with drug-free policies, minimizing legal risks, and enhancing workplace safety. The unparalleled accuracy and extended detection capability of hair tests empower employers to maintain a secure and compliant work environment. This approach not only elevates company integrity but also fosters a culture of accountability and safety among employees.

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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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