Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Westport, NC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol use. Hair retains a long-standing record of alcohol and other drug consumption by encapsulating biomarkers in its growing strands. When collected near the scalp, hair can provide an approximately 3-month detection timeline for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to collect, moderately hard to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing roughly 200 strands of hair (around the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, an ideal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional panels, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample's weight using a jeweler’s scale. If no scalp hair is available, an equivalent mass of body hair might be used. The term head hair refers specifically to scalp hair. Body hair includes other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in laboratory processing of drug test results: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample's initial integration into a lab's system. It entails confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, issuing a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any necessary data not included through an electronic chain of custody.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drug presence. While Screening is a cost-effective method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen result must be validated to be court-eligible. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate subsequent confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptive positivity in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the original specimen for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug testing a highly challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before Confirmation when needed. The lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug usage up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests, which have a much shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, thus lending greater accuracy to the results.
• Historical Usage Pattern: It provides insight into a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent usage: A span of 5-7 days is necessary for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often incur higher costs than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth could influence drug metabolite concentrations within hair.

Note: Despite the common reference "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle situated beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Superiority of Hair Testing Over Urine Testing
In Westport, NC, hair follicle tests outshine traditional urine tests. By offering unparalleled detection precision and reliability, hair testing exposes drug use over a longer timeframe, presenting employers with a deeper insight into an individual’s substance habits.

Extended Detection Window

Prolonged Detection Capability
Spanning up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Westport, NC, permits the revelation of drug use deep into the past. For employers seeking a detailed understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history, this method delivers a substantial temporal advantage.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Sample Integrity Assured
In Westport, NC, hair follicle tests are renowned for minimizing the chance of sample tampering. This method assures integrity by greatly reducing possible adulteration, yielding results which are trustworthy and above reproach.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Centers Nearby
With conveniently located nationwide facilities and local centers in Westport, NC, we ensure easy access to service. This permits straightforward and quick testing without the hassle, optimizing user experience across the board.

Simple, Confidential Process

Effortless and Confidential Testing Process
Providing a straightforward and private framework in Westport, NC, our process from ordering to result delivery is seamless. Respecting privacy and ease of use, we address any privacy worries, ensuring confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-effective Solutions with Swift Results
In Westport, NC, our competitive pricing and fast result delivery provide reassuring value for businesses of all dimensions. Ensuring efficient turnaround time, our service supports company needs, regardless of size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Swift, Precise, and Dependable
In Westport, NC, hair follicle drug tests offer expedited and precise outcomes. Known for their robust accuracy, these tests effectively reveal substance consumption, making them a reliable choice for those requiring fast and exact results. By capturing a broad spectrum of potential drug use, these tests provide an assured level of detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Employer Assurance
By employing hair follicle testing in Westport, NC, organizations can guarantee alignment with drug-free organizational policies. This offers legal safeguards and bolsters workplace security, providing employers with peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Westport, NC

Mount Holly, NC

Woodland, NC

Maiden, NC

Troutman, NC

Boger City, NC

Stanley, NC

Iron Station, NC

Mooresville, NC

Fallston, NC

Huntersville, NC

Davidson, NC

Cornelius, NC

Lowesville, NC

Denver, 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