Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Catawba, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can reflect up to a three-month usage history for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches and containing about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil size) will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn’t available, a comparable quantity of body hair may be used. "Head hair" refers solely to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result comprises four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial step where the sample is integrated into a laboratory’s system. It involves checking that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any additional data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary rapid analysis for drugs of abuse. While it's an economical approach to dismiss drug presence in most samples, a screen indicating positivity must be validated to be legally acceptable. Thus, any samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening require a secondary verification.

If a sample yields a presumptively positive result during Screening, further hair is taken from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are drawn from hair in much lesser concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to execute.

Confirmation for any positive screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning through Confirmation, undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which cover a shorter period.
• Challenging to falsify: Altering hair drug test results is extremely difficult, thus enhancing accuracy.
• Supplies historical insights: It reveals a drug use pattern over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires around 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis 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 Catawba, SC
While traditional urine tests have their place, hair follicle tests deliver superior detection and reliability. The advantage lies in a greater accuracy rate, with hair tests covering a longer detection span than urine analysis, enabling more thorough vetting in drug use policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Catawba, SC
Hair follicle testing unveils drug use over an extended period, up to 90 days, providing employers a thorough insight into an employee’s or candidate's substance records. This extended view helps in fostering a workplace adhering to drug-free principles effectively.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Catawba, SC
Hair follicle analysis substantially minimizes the chance of sample manipulation. It stands as a robust method, ensuring tests are untampered and results remain credible, offering unparalleled trustworthiness in substance testing practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Catawba, SC
With our widespread testing centers, accessing drug testing services is seamless and effortless. Local and national facilities ensure quick and stress-free testing capability, allowing for extensive reach and convenience for all clients.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Catawba, SC
Ordering, undergoing, and receiving results from hair follicle testing is straightforward and discreet. The process prioritizes user privacy, showcasing an uncomplicated method that respects individual confidentiality every step of the way.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Catawba, SC
We offer competitive pricing models and rapid result delivery, presenting excellent value for businesses of diverse scales. Our services ensure timely and budget-conscious solutions, enhancing economic access to reliable testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Catawba, SC
Hair follicle testing swiftly produces results, offering a high level of precision in detecting substances. The method exceeds as a rapid response option for discerning individuals' drug usage, ensuring that organizations can proceed with confidence regarding substance compliance.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Catawba, SC
Incorporating hair follicle tests secures compliance with drug-free workplace regulations by greatly reducing legal exposure and fostering a secure work environment. Employers achieve peace of mind, knowing they maintain stringent drug use oversight.

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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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