Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stonewall, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is considered a formidable method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair retains long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by holding onto biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When taken close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for evaluation and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests surpassing 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. Usage of a jeweler’s scale for specimen measurement is advised. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. Scalp hair refers solely to head hair, while body hair encompasses other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process in the laboratory for finalizing a drug testing result involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the preliminary processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s database. It involves confirming that the specimen was adequately sealed and transported, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any extra data entry omitted by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial swift assessment for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical means to exclude drug usage in most specimens, any positive results need confirmation to be viable in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require an additional confirmation step.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is pulled from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing prior to confirmation if needed. The full lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligned with the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a briefer detection window.
• Difficult to falsify: Manipulating a hair drug test is very challenging, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Delivers historical data: It supplies a timeline of drug use over an extended period, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent usage: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become discernible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug screening approaches.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth may impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Stonewall, NC
In Stonewall, NC, hair follicle tests provide superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to traditional urine tests. Hair tests' extended detection window and resistance to manipulation make them the preferred option for many employers and authorities, delivering more comprehensive insights into substance use history over urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Stonewall, NC
Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection period, offering a drug use history of up to 90 days. This long detection window enables employers in Stonewall, NC, to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use, ensuring informed hiring and workplace safety decisions, and significantly extending beyond the reach of standard urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Stonewall, NC
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution to drug testing, significantly reducing the risk of sample adulteration. The collection process, closely monitored and nearly foolproof, provides Stonewall, NC, employers with results that are reliable and unquestionable, ensuring integrity and confidence in each test outcome.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Stonewall, NC
Our extensive network offers convenient hair testing locations nationwide and locally in Stonewall, NC. These sites ensure easy access to testing services, eliminating hassle and delays. Whether nationwide or in your Stonewall neighborhood, testing is quick and straightforward, meeting diverse needs promptly.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Stonewall, NC
In Stonewall, NC, ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results is a straightforward and confidential process. We prioritize your privacy and ease of use, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Our user-friendly approach addresses any concerns, making the testing process both comfortable and discreet.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Stonewall, NC
Our testing services in Stonewall, NC, combine affordability with rapid results. With competitive pricing and a swift turnaround, our offerings provide excellent value for businesses of all sizes. This cost-effective solution ensures companies can maintain a drug-free workplace without undue financial strain.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Stonewall, NC
Hair testing boasts unparalleled accuracy and speed in drug detection. Its precise methodology ensures reliable substance use results, aiding employers in making informed decisions. The process is streamlined, providing swift and accurate analysis that benefits both the tester and the individual being tested, creating peace of mind with every result.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Stonewall, NC
Employers in Stonewall, NC, can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies by utilizing hair follicle testing. This reliable method reduces legal risks and enhances safety, providing employers with peace of mind and maintaining a productive and secure work environment, aligning with regulations and promoting a culture of safety.

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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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