Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Teachey, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair screening has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug use. When gathered near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is easy to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (roughly the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is recommended. We suggest weighing the hair on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not available, a similar amount of body hair may be used. When we mention head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four essential steps in the laboratory processing of drug test samples are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning includes the initial handling of a sample within a lab’s framework. This encompasses confirming that the sample was securely sealed during shipment, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any additional data not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening effectively eliminates drug use in most samples cost-efficiently, a positive screen is further required to be validated for legal proceedings. Any samples that are likely positive in Screening require further verification.

For any sample showing a likely positive in the Screening phase, extra hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a remarkably lower concentration than in other techniques (e.g., urine or saliva), which makes hair drug testing the most challenging approach to execute.

The Confirmation of any favorable screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All likely positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation alongside compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Challenging to falsify: It is significantly difficult to bypass a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers usage patterns: It can illustrate a history of drug consumption over time, rather than recent usage only.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to be identified in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth may influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually examines the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The advantages of hair follicle testing over urine analysis in Teachey, NC are substantial. Compared to traditional urine tests, hair testing offers a higher level of accuracy and reliability. This testing method cannot be easily manipulated, ensuring the integrity of the results. The accurate detection capabilities provide a clearer view of a person's drug usage history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Teachey, NC provide detection windows that extend up to 90 days. This lengthy period allows employers to gain insight into an individual’s drug use over a longer timeframe, offering a more comprehensive assessment than conventional methods. It's a critical tool for understanding past substance use.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The risk of tampering with hair follicle test samples in Teachey, NC is significantly reduced. This testing method offers virtually tamper-resistant results, safeguarding against adulteration and ensuring authentic outcomes. The reliability of these results is paramount in verifying an individual's substance history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network, including convenient locations in Teachey, NC, ensures seamless access to testing services. With ease and efficiency, individuals and employers can utilize testing facilities without hassle. The widespread availability underscores our commitment to accessibility and convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Teachey, NC is straightforward and confidential. From placing an order to taking the test and receiving results, privacy and simplicity are of utmost importance. Each step is designed to address concerns about ease of use and discretion, ensuring a seamless experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Teachey, NC, our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times make hair follicle testing both affordable and efficient. Companies of all sizes can enjoy cost-effective solutions without sacrificing speed or accuracy. Our commitment to value supports informed decision-making in a timely manner.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Teachey, NC, the precision and rapid results of hair follicle drug testing are unmatched. These tests are renowned for their high accuracy in identifying substance use, providing employers and individuals with reliable data. A swift process ensures that results are both quick and precise, enhancing overall trust in the testing method.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Teachey, NC who utilize hair follicle testing can achieve compliance with drug-free workplace policies effortlessly. This method not only minimizes legal liabilities but also enhances overall workplace safety. By maintaining adherence to established protocols, companies obtain peace of mind.

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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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