Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Timberlake, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair maintains a prolonged record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When cut close to the scalp, hair can offer up to a 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and other drugs. Hair is easy to collect, somewhat hard to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch section of around 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) near to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and validation. For EtG, extensions, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels,130mg of the sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale is suggested for measuring the sample. When scalp hair is not available, an equal portion of body hair can be taken. By head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage where a sample is processed into a lab’s system, which includes confirming proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning an additional random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and entering any outstanding data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. It's a cost-effective measure to exclude drug use in most samples, though any positive screen must be validated for legal use. Any samples appearing positive in Screening require follow-up confirmation.

If a sample exhibits presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for the Extraction phase. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at more dilute concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging procedure.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The comprehensive process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection timeframe.
• High resistance to manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is exceedingly challenging, resulting in more dependable outcomes.
• Historical information: It provides a timeline of drug use, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of revealing recent usage: Drugs generally become visible in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strand rather than the sub-scalp hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Timberlake, NC, hair follicle testing stands superior to traditional urine tests due to its higher detection accuracy and reliability. Whereas urine tests detect recent drug use, hair screenings trace drug and alcohol consumption over extended periods.

Hair testing is less susceptible to tampering, making it a preferred choice among employers and legal entities. This ensures that the historical substance use is accurately reflected, overcoming the limitations of short-term detection in urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

One of the most significant benefits of hair follicle testing in Timberlake, NC, is its expansive detection window, capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days. This feature offers employers a comprehensive overview of an individual’s drug history.

The extended time frame provided by hair testing helps companies make informed decisions based on an applicant or employee's prolonged substance usage, aiding in maintaining a drug-free workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Timberlake, NC, offer a reliable, tamper-resistant methodology that drastically minimizes the risk of sample adulteration. This ensures dependable and unquestionable results for employers and professionals alike.

The direct collection process of hair samples negates common tampering techniques associated with other testing methods, providing a secure way to validate substance use histories accurately.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Timberlake, NC, the availability of nationwide testing centers offers unparalleled convenience, allowing for swift and efficient access to our services. This ensures a smooth experience, regardless of location.

Our extensive network of test centers simplifies the drug testing procedure, eliminating delays and accommodating local companies and individuals with ease, reflecting our commitment to accessibility and customer service.

Simple, Confidential Process

Timberlake, NC offers a straightforward and confidential process for ordering, taking, and receiving hair follicle test results. This addresses privacy concerns while ensuring seamless execution and accessibility.

Our process prioritizes client confidentiality and ease, delivering results swiftly without compromising on personal information, making the testing experience worry-free and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times are key features of hair follicle testing services in Timberlake, NC. Companies of all sizes benefit from cost-effective solutions and expedited service delivery.

The value provided by our affordable pricing structure allows businesses to implement thorough drug-testing policies without financial strain, complemented by the swiftness in processing results for timely decisions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Timberlake, NC, boasts exceptional precision and swiftness, setting a high standard for accuracy in detecting substance use. This method delivers reliable results, ensuring timely and effective evaluations for employers and professionals.

The accuracy of hair testing is unmatched, providing a comprehensive analysis of drug use. This is critical in guaranteeing the integrity of the testing process and offers peace of mind with fast-tracked results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Timberlake, NC, benefit from hair follicle testing as it ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing legal liabilities and enhancing safety.

The assurance of compliance and peace of mind provided by hair testing helps employers maintain a secure working environment while mitigating risks associated with non-compliance in drug screening protocols.

Drug Testing Near Timberlake, NC

Mebane, NC

Durham, NC

Oxford, NC

Creedmoor, NC

Gorman, NC

Efland, NC

Hillsborough, NC

Butner, NC

Stem, NC

Leasburg, NC

Longhurst, NC

Bahama, NC

Roxboro, NC

Hurdle Mills, NC

Rougemont, NC

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews