Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Spiveys Corner, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a longitudinal record of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the developing strand. When acquired near the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month window of detection for substances like alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of around 200 hair strands (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample size for both screening and confirmation purposes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen. If scalp hair is unavailable, a corresponding amount of body hair can be collected. In the context of head hair, we mean scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure involved in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome includes Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial entry of a sample into a laboratory's system. This process verifies that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any pending data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening offers a cost-effective method to eliminate drug use in the majority of samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally admissible. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening need a secondary confirmation.

With a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, more hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. Drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening among the most challenging methodologies to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned prior to confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Challenging to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, thus ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a pattern of drug use over time, instead of just highlighting recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair approximately 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other drug testing methodologies.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence the level of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Spiveys Corner, NC, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine tests are evident. Hair testing’s superior detection accuracy extends up to three months, unlike urine tests. This prolonged detection capability ensures a more comprehensive insight into an individual’s substance use history. Moreover, hair tests provide reliable outcomes that cannot be as easily manipulated, setting them apart in drug testing efficacy.

Extended Detection Window

In Spiveys Corner, NC, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing offers a strategic advantage. Capable of identifying substance use over a 90-day period, it grants employers an insightful overview of an applicant or employee's drug history. Such comprehensive assessments allow for more informed hiring decisions, ensuring a responsible and controlled workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Spiveys Corner, NC, significantly reduces sample adulteration risks. This method offers dependable and verifiable results in contrast to other drug testing alternatives. By focusing on inherent sample integrity, hair tests eliminate the common concerns of false negatives or tampered specimens, bolstering their reliability and trustworthiness.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Spiveys Corner, NC, benefits from the convenience of widespread testing centers under our nationwide network. This extends to the local level, offering effortless access to our services. The availability of nearby locations ensures that scheduling and completing drug assessments are quick and stress-free, meeting the demands of modern organizational needs and individual requirements.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Spiveys Corner, NC, our hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential. From ordering to testing and receiving outcomes, every step is designed to protect privacy while being user-friendly. Assuring clients of their data's security and the ease of the procedure, it caters to both corporate and personal testing requirements with heightened discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive prices and swift result times in Spiveys Corner, NC, making hair follicle testing an affordable option. Our pricing framework is crafted to provide outstanding value without compromising on quality or speed. Whether a small business or a large organization, this combination ensures cost-effectiveness and rapid turnaround, catering to diverse business specifics.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Spiveys Corner, NC, hair follicle drug tests offer a blend of speed, accuracy, and reliability. These tests quickly deliver results with a high degree of precision, making them a preferred choice for both employers and individuals. The advanced technology behind hair analysis ensures that even minuscule traces of substances are accurately identified, providing solid evidence of drug or alcohol use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Spiveys Corner, NC, the utilization of hair follicle testing aids in maintaining compliance with enforced drug-free workplace policies. This approach minimizes legal liabilities while ensuring employee safety. With its robust testing mechanisms, hair analysis provides peace of mind to employers by securing adherence to safety standards and promoting a cleaner work environment.

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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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