Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Brunson, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has evolved into a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains biomarkers within its growing fibers, offering an extended history of alcohol and other substance use. Hair samples taken near the scalp can reveal substance use over a 3-month period. The collection of hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

Acquiring a 1.5-inch portion, consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. When testing for EtG, additional substances, or over 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We advise measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't accessible, body hair in a similar quantity might be used. References to head hair imply only scalp hair, whereas body hair includes other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The laboratory process in drug testing encompasses four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

In Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing within the laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample’s seal integrity, assigns it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not provided by the electronic chain of custody.

Screening serves as a preliminary assessment for drug presence. While Screening efficiently rules out drug use in most samples, any positive results must be confirmed for legal validity. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

Upon a positive preliminary result in Screening, further hair is drawn from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs at significantly lowered concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid). Hair drug screening is the most challenging due to these lower concentrations.

Final confirmation of positive screens is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positives are washed before confirmation, as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and meets ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can identify substance use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer shorter detection times.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Patterns of usage: It highlights drug usage trends over time, not just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Outcome variations: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually targets the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Brunson, SC Hair follicle testing provides superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests. Its reliability stems from its ability to uncover long-term substance use, setting it apart from the short detection window of urine tests.

Employers valuing precision and thoroughness will find hair follicle tests more advantageous. With extended detection periods and enhanced reliability, these tests offer a deeper insight into an individual's substance history, surpassing the more limited scope of urine screening.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Brunson, SC Hair follicle testing stands out due to its ability to trace drug use over a prolonged period—up to 90 days—allowing employers to gain extensive insight into an individual's substance use history.

This longer detection period provides a comprehensive view of an applicant's or employee's habits, contributing to more informed hiring or retention decisions. Hair testing ensures that substance use isn't easily obscured by short-term abstinence.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Brunson, SC Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample tampering, providing trustworthy results. The testing process is designed to be resistant to sample adulteration, ensuring integrity.

By reducing opportunities for manipulation, hair follicle testing offers solid assurances of reliability. The method's robustness makes it a preferred choice for those requiring indisputable evidence of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Brunson, SC Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide, including in Brunson, assures swift and convenient access to our testing services.

With easy-to-reach locations, obtaining a hair follicle test is hassle-free, allowing individuals and businesses to engage in timely and efficient testing wherever they are situated.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Brunson, SC Our testing process is straightforward and confidential, facilitating easy ordering, examination, and results delivery while respecting privacy.

The simplified approach addresses any concerns clients might have about complexity, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. Individuals can trust that their privacy will be maintained throughout the entire procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Brunson, SC Our competitive pricing models and rapid turnaround times offer excellent value, ensuring companies of all sizes receive efficient service without compromise.

By prioritizing affordability and speed, clients can benefit from top-quality testing services that fit within budgetary constraints, without sacrificing the precision and reliability of results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Brunson, SC Hair follicle drug tests are known for their precision and speed, offering high accuracy in identifying substance use. The procedure minimizes errors, ensuring peace of mind for those requiring dependable outcomes.

Our testing procedures are specifically designed to guarantee rapid and precise results. The swift process allows employers and individuals to trust the findings, providing reliable confirmation of substance use within a timeframe that's ideal for decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Brunson, SC Hair follicle testing assists in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies, diminishing legal risks, and elevating safety.

Employers can rest assured knowing that using hair tests strengthens their defense against workforce substance abuse, thus promoting a safer, more productive working environment. It's a proactive step toward safeguarding organizational integrity and employee health.

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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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