Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Varnamtown, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term evidence of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the fibers of the hair as it grows. When clipped near the scalp, hair offers up to a 3-month window of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A sample measurement of 1.5 inches consisting of approximately 200 strands (similar to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred amount for screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or tests beyond 10 panels, a higher amount of 150mg is advised. We suggest measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair can include any other types (such as facial and underarm hair).

Process Overview

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

During Accessioning, the sample is initially integrated into the lab’s system. This process verifies the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and complements any missing data that the electronic chain of custody system does not provide.

Screening consists of a preliminary evaluation for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly means to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive result requires Confirmation for court admission. All samples that exhibit potential positivity during Screening need a follow-up confirmation.

When a sample indicates positivity in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations much lower than those in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the challenging nature of hair drug testing.

Verification of positive screening outcomes occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any samples showing a possible positive are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair guidelines and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can identify drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower time frame.
• Difficult to tamper: Hair drug testing is challenging to manipulate, leading to more reliable results.
• Reveals past use: Provides a timeline of drug use across an extended duration, not solely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to become evident in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analysis generally incurs higher costs compared to other testing methods.
• Result discrepancies: Factors such as hair color and individual growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the scalp-embedded follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Varnamtown, NC, hair follicle testing is increasingly preferred over traditional urine tests, thanks to its superior accuracy and reliability. Hair follicle tests capture a longer history of drug use, offering a more comprehensive view than urine tests. The extended detection capabilities make them exceptionally proficient in identifying substance use, ensuring a higher standard of accuracy.

Extended Detection Window

The hallmark of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window, which spans up to 90 days. In Varnamtown, NC, this feature gives employers a broadened perspective on an individual’s substance use history, far surpassing that of traditional tests. This extensive view is crucial for making informed employment decisions and maintaining a safe work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Varnamtown, NC, hair follicle testing stands out for its resilience against tampering. The methodology behind these tests ensures that samples are secure from adulteration, providing results that are both dependent and trustworthy. Hair follicle tests offer unparalleled certainty in testing integrity, crucial for settings requiring absolute accuracy.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our widespread network facilitates convenient access to hair follicle testing in Varnamtown, NC, and beyond. With nationwide centers, locating a testing site is hassle-free, ensuring efficient service wherever you are. This coverage guarantees that anyone requiring testing can easily obtain it with minimal disruption.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Varnamtown, NC, our hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, the procedure prioritizes privacy and user-friendliness, addressing all concerns related to confidentiality. The straightforwardness of the approach ensures a stress-free experience for participants.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Valuable and cost-effective, our hair follicle testing in Varnamtown, NC, features affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times. Our competitive pricing model, paired with quick results, ensures that companies of all sizes can implement a reliable testing regime without financial strain, providing great value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer a potent combination of speed and precision, providing fast, accurate results in Varnamtown, NC. Unlike traditional methods, these tests can accurately pinpoint substance usage, ensuring peace of mind for employers needing reliable data. Their ability to quickly deliver high-precision results makes them an invaluable resource in substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Varnamtown, NC, can achieve peace of mind and assurance of compliance with drug-free workplace policies by implementing hair follicle testing. These tests significantly lower legal risks and enhance workplace safety. Consistent use of such testing aligns with maintaining a high standard of workplace integrity and safety.

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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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