Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cordova, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a compelling method for detecting drug and alcohol usage. The hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. If collected near the scalp, hair can furnish a detection range of up to around three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, quite challenging to tamper with, and convenient to ship.

A sample of 1.5-inch, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (equivalent to the size of a #2 pencil) adjacent to the scalp will provide 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10 panel tests, collecting 150mg is advised. It's suggested to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be utilized. The phrase "head hair" specifically pertains to scalp hair. "Body hair" refers to every other hair category (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the initial handling of a sample into the lab’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening refers to an initial brief assessment for drug abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be accepted in court. Any samples suspected to be positive in Screening need a secondary validation.

If a sample is suspected to be positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is pulled from the original sample and arranged for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to administer.

Any positive screening result is confirmed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation if needed. The lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is conducted under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug testing can trace drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine testing which has a shorter detection span.
• Resistance to tampering: Tampering with a hair drug test is highly challenging, providing more precise results.
• Historical insight: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over a timeframe, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing is typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration in the hair.

Note: Although commonly known as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing provides numerous advantages over urine tests in Cordova, SC. Its unparalleled detection accuracy and reliability play a crucial role in identifying long-term substance use, whereas urine tests might miss longer usage patterns.

For employers in Cordova, the effectiveness of hair testing surpasses urine analysis, especially in detecting prior drug use. This modern method accommodates rigorous no-drug-use policies more efficiently.

Extended Detection Window

In Cordova, SC, hair follicle testing boasts an unrivaled detection window extending up to 90 days. This gives employers an in-depth insight into an individual’s substance use history, unlike more traditional testing methods.

The extended window of hair testing is a game changer for Cordova businesses. It enables comprehensive screening of applicants or current employees, fostering an inclusive approach to drug testing policies.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Cordova, SC significantly minimize the threat of sample tampering, offering results that are both dependable and difficult to dispute. Such features highlight its superiority over other testing methods.

By effectively preventing adulteration, hair follicle testing reassures Cordova employers about the integrity of test results. This approach fortifies defenses against manipulated outcomes, promoting confidence in the results' validity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The convenience of nationwide testing centers, including local options in Cordova, SC, fuses ease with excellent service accessibility. This ensures hassle-free access to comprehensive testing services, catering to enterprise needs.

Available in Cordova, our facilities streamline the testing process, delivering quick and efficient services. Nationwide accessibility supports immediate testing solutions, creating a stress-free experience for all stakeholders.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Cordova, SC, our testing process is straightforward and confidential, addressing privacy concerns. The procedure for ordering, performing, and obtaining results is designed for ease of use.

Confidentiality is paramount in our operations in Cordova. Our seamless process is tailored to maintain privacy while efficiently delivering results, guaranteeing discretion and simplicity for all involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Cordova, SC, coupled with rapid turnaround, delivers exceptional value for businesses. We bridge cost-efficiency with service excellence, supporting all organizations' needs.

Affordable packages and fast processing times ensure Cordova companies benefit from high-quality testing services without staggering expenses, reinforcing value and trust in our services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Cordova, SC, the efficiency of hair follicle testing ensures fast, accurate, and dependable results. This method stands out due to its high precision in detecting substance use, which is ideal for employers looking for reliable testing options.

Not only does hair testing offer swift results, but its accuracy exceeds traditional methods. Individuals and employers in Cordova can trust the consistency and dependability of these tests to make informed decisions about drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Cordova, SC is seamless with hair follicle testing. Employers gain peace of mind knowing they are reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety.

By adopting hair testing, Cordova businesses meet legal requirements efficiently. This reliable method aids in enforcing zero-tolerance policies, ultimately fostering a safer and more secure work environment for all.

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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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