Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sunset Beach, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is perceived as an effective measure for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collected near the scalp, hair can provide up to a 3-month window for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch segment containing roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil's thickness) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, deemed optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a recommended 150mg of the sample is required. We suggest weighing the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be sourced. When we mention head hair, it specifically signifies scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair varieties, such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of drug test results encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s workflow. This process involves verifying the proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and concluding any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary assessment for illicit substances. Though Screening is an economical method to dismiss drug consumption in most samples, a confirmed screen is mandated for legal proceedings. Samples with initial positive screens necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

Should a sample show a tentative positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample, and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at a remarkably lower concentration compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

The confirmation process for any positive screening finding employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all tentative positive samples undergo washing if required. The entire procedure from Accessioning through to Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation along with accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, compared to the brief detection period of urine tests.
• Difficult to manipulate: Hair drug tests are challenging to tamper with, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug consumption over an extended duration, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of identifying recent consumption: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: The exam, sometimes called "hair follicle tests", actually examines the hair strand itself rather than the scalp-situated hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing
In Sunset Beach, NC, hair follicle testing offers a significant advantage over traditional urine tests. Its superior detection capabilities allow for more accurate and reliable results, making it an invaluable tool for employers. With its extended detection window and resistance to tampering, hair testing provides a more comprehensive method for substance screening. 

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window
In Sunset Beach, NC, the power of hair follicle testing lies in its ability to detect substance use over an extended period, up to 90 days. This gives employers a thorough outlook on an individual's past drug usage, aiding in making responsible hiring decisions. This time frame far surpasses that of urine tests, which may only cover a shorter window. 

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method
In Sunset Beach, NC, the reliability of hair follicle testing shines through in its tamper-resistant nature. The likelihood of adulterating a hair sample is minimal, ensuring that results are trustworthy and accurate. This integrity makes hair testing a dependable choice for employers who value unequivocal results. 

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations
Boasting numerous testing sites nation and city-wide, including Sunset Beach, NC, our service ensures straightforward access to drug testing facilities. This network allows seamless and expeditious testing procedures, catering to companies' needs effortlessly. 

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process 
In Sunset Beach, NC, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward, ensuring confidentiality every step of the way. Ordering, administering, and receiving results is designed with privacy and simplicity in mind, addressing concerns over sensitivity and discretion. This assurance is essential for a comfortable testing experience. 

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround
In Sunset Beach, NC, hair follicle testing offers competitive pricing and rapid result delivery, providing exceptional value for businesses of all sizes. Our pricing structure, paired with swift turnaround times, allows employers to make timely and cost-effective decisions, bolstering workplace efficiency. 

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results 
In Sunset Beach, NC, hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their speed and accuracy. Their unmatched precision sets them apart, ensuring that no substance goes undetected. This testing method provides a clear and detailed perspective on an individual's substance use, proving crucial for making informed decisions. 

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers
Utilizing hair follicle testing in Sunset Beach, NC, ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, enhancing safety and reducing legal exposure. Employers gain peace of mind knowing comprehensive and uncontested results support their hiring and monitoring processes, creating a safer and more compliant workplace. 

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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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