Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Swanquarter, NC

What it is, How it works

Testing hair has become a recognized approach for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a long-term record of alcohol and various drugs by capturing biomarkers within its fibers as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair offers an approximately 3-month detection period for alcohol and other drugs. It is easy to gather, relatively difficult to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising around 200 strands of hair (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp can provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. We recommend using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. In case scalp hair is not available, a similar quantity of body hair can be utilized. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves initially processing a sample into the laboratory’s system. This encompasses verifying that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not available through an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening offers a cost-effective way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive result must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a much lower concentration than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeline: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection window.
• Hard to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a pattern of drug usage over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing testing methods in Swanquarter, NC, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Its ability to provide extended detection accuracy and reliability is unmatched. With a broader detection range and improved reliability, hair tests are superior for comprehensive substance use verification.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Swanquarter, NC benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection window of up to 90 days. This feature offers a more comprehensive view of a candidate or employee's past substance use, offering a clearer understanding of their overall drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Swanquarter, NC significantly reduce the risk of sample adulteration. This tamper-resistant method ensures results are reliable and beyond dispute, offering confidence in the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide testing centers and local options in Swanquarter, NC, accessing hair follicle testing services is quick and hassle-free. The widespread availability ensures easy access, saving time and reducing logistical challenges for organizations.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Swanquarter, NC is simple and confidential, ensuring ease of use for all clients. Privacy is a top priority, from ordering to sample collection and results, addressing concerns and guaranteeing a user-friendly experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and fast turnaround times make hair follicle testing in Swanquarter, NC an affordable option for businesses of all sizes. The value offered, coupled with speedy results, ensures excellent service without compromising on quality.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Swanquarter, NC, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its precision and speed, making it a favored choice for reliable detection. The process swiftly detects substance use, ensuring accuracy that surpasses alternative testing methods. Its efficiency is unparalleled, providing results that organizations can trust.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Swanquarter, NC ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies, fostering peace of mind for employers. By reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, companies can maintain a secure and compliant 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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