Hair Follicle Drug Testing - State Road, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can reveal long-term usage patterns of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When sampled close to the scalp, it can offer up to a roughly three-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-proof, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair is unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. By "head hair," we mean specifically scalp hair. "Body hair" refers to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is comprised of four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s operations. This step involves confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any other data entry that is not carried out by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid test for the presence of drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective means to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to stand up in legal settings. Any samples showing presumptive positives in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

In the event of a presumptive positive result in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations than with alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to hair drug screening being the most challenging methodology to conduct.

Confirmation for any positive screen result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The comprehensive laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than only recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: It takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Result variations: Hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination itself focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in State Road, NC

Hair follicle testing outperforms traditional urine tests in detection accuracy and reliability. With a longer detection window, hair tests ensure comprehensive substance history checks for employers. This method is preferred for situations demanding detailed insights into a person's long-term drug use, overpassing the limited urine test detection period.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in State Road, NC

Hair follicle testing offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This allows employers a broad overview of an individual's substance use history, offering a comprehensive assessment that surpasses the short-term focus of urine tests. Such insights are invaluable for making informed hiring and retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in State Road, NC

The hair follicle testing method significantly minimizes the risk of tampering. By providing a largely tamper-proof sample, this approach guarantees reliable results that organizations can trust, ensuring the integrity of their drug testing processes and reinforcing stringent compliance standards.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in State Road, NC

Our nationwide network of testing centers, including those in State Road, NC, guarantees swift and hassle-free access to drug testing services. The accessibility of these centers simplifies the testing process for individuals and businesses, facilitating prompt and efficient service delivery.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in State Road, NC

The hair follicle testing process is straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease during ordering, testing, and result retrieval. This process addresses individuals' concerns regarding privacy, making it a preferred option for those seeking reliable drug testing services in State Road, NC.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in State Road, NC

Our hair follicle testing services offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, providing excellent value and prompt results. This cost-effective solution is ideal for businesses of all sizes, ensuring they receive quality testing services without high expenses.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in State Road, NC

Hair follicle drug testing provides swift and precise results, making it a dependable choice for detecting substance use. The high accuracy rate ensures that State Road's testing services deliver reliable insights quickly, aiding employers in maintaining safe and compliant workplaces with minimal delays.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in State Road, NC

Utilizing hair follicle drug tests ensures employers remain compliant with drug-free workplace policies, reducing potential legal risks. This reliable method enhances safety and offers peace of mind, knowing their workforce meets the highest standards of conduct and safety.

Drug Testing Near State Road, NC

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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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