Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Tryon, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as a potent means for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair, it offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug exposure. Collected close to the scalp, hair provides an approximate 3-month detection timeline for these substances. Hair is straightforward to obtain, difficult to tamper with, and straightforward to send for analysis.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising around 200 hair strands (roughly the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation analyses. For EtG, additional tests, or screenings exceeding ten panels, 150mg of the sample is recommended. It's advised to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair serves as an alternative. The term head hair specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the lab's system. This step involves confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry missed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for detecting drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective method for ruling out drug usage in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for legal admissibility. Any sample showing presumptive positivity in Screening needs a follow-up confirmation.

In cases where a sample shows presumptive positivity during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen for Extraction. This stage involves isolating drugs from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to methods like urine or oral fluid testing, underscoring the complexities of hair drug screening.

Positive results from Screening are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples indicating presumptive positivity undergo washing before Confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and is accredited according to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests recognize substance use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: Significantly difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, leading to more precise results.
• Historical substance use data: Provides insights into drug use patterns over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drug presence in hair becomes detectable after approximately 5-7 days.
• Higher cost: Typically, hair drug tests are costlier than other testing methods.
• Potential result variations: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth rates might influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the procedure examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Tryon, NC, the advantages of hair follicle testing over urine testing are clear. Hair tests offer a longer detection window, offering insights into drug use up to 90 days prior. This timeframe surpasses the short-term view provided by urine tests, making hair tests ideal for comprehensive historical analysis.

Hair testing's superior detection accuracy makes it a preferred method in Tryon, NC. Unlike urine tests which are limited to recent use detection, hair tests can identify extended substance use patterns, improving reliability in screening applicants or employees.

Extended Detection Window

Unlike traditional methods, hair follicle testing in Tryon, NC, provides an extensive detection timeframe, retaining substance indicators for up to 90 days. This gives employers a deeper understanding of an individual's substance history, which is crucial for making informed decisions.

The extended detection capability of hair follicle testing in Tryon, NC, makes it invaluable for employers. It allows for comprehensive evaluation of past substance use, enabling a better assessment of an individual's fitness for employment or other responsibilities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Tryon, NC, offer a robust defense against sample tampering. Unlike some other testing methods, hair testing significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, ensuring reliable results.

With their tamper-resistant nature, hair follicle tests provide Tryon, NC, employers with dependable outcomes. The integrity of hair testing is not easily compromised, allowing for genuine and unquestionable drug use results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our Tryon, NC, locations provide easy access to nationwide testing services. The abundance of testing centers ensures that obtaining necessary testing is both hassle-free and convenient, enabling timely services for employers and individuals alike.

Thanks to multiple locations, testing in Tryon, NC, and beyond is straightforward and efficient. The accessibility of local centers simplifies the logistics of hair follicle testing, enhancing user experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Tryon, NC, the process for hair follicle testing is streamlined and confidential, creating a user-friendly experience. From order to results, privacy and simplicity are emphasized to ensure an effortless process.

The confidential nature of hair follicle testing in Tryon, NC, addresses privacy concerns. Simple procedures allow for easy testing, fostering trust and encouraging compliance without compromise.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Tryon, NC, benefits from affordable pricing and fast turnaround times in hair follicle testing. Competitive rates and swift results offer excellent value, making this testing method accessible for businesses of all sizes.

Hair follicle testing in Tryon, NC, is characterized by reasonable costs and quick results. This efficient combination ensures that companies receive high-quality service while maintaining budgetary considerations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Tryon, NC, hair follicle drug tests are applauded for their speed and precision. Unlike other testing methods, the hair follicle test provides fast results while maintaining a high level of accuracy in identifying substance use. This reliability makes it a preferred choice for those in need of precise detection of drug usage.

Quick and efficient, hair follicle tests deliver results that businesses can depend on. The meticulous analysis involved in this form of testing ensures confidence in the results received, ultimately aiding in faster decision-making processes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Tryon, NC, gain peace of mind with hair follicle testing. This method supports drug-free workplace policies, mitigating legal risks while enhancing safety. By reducing potential liabilities, companies uphold a secure working environment.

Hair follicle testing assures compliance with workplace regulations in Tryon, NC. It's an effective tool for maintaining drug-free policies, ensuring both legal adherence and the safety of employees and clients.

Drug Testing Near Tryon, NC

Mountain Home, NC

Chimney Rock, NC

Valley Hill, NC

Lake Lure, NC

Henderson, NC

Hendersonville, NC

Edneyville, NC

Barker Heights, NC

East Flat Rock, NC

Dana, NC

Tuxedo, NC

Five Points, NC

Hickory Grove, NC

Mill Spring, NC

Saluda, 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