Hair Follicle Drug Testing - East Gaffney, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair stores a prolonged record of such substances by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fibers. When sampled near the scalp, it can offer a detection range of up to three months for various substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch hair segment comprising around 200 hairs (resembling the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, deemed the optimum amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional analysis, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We advocate using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. Should head hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair can be gathered. In reference to head hair, it signifies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core procedures in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial reception of a sample into the lab's protocol. This phase involves ensuring the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigning it a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not available from an electronic custody chain system.

Screening constitutes an initial rapid assessment for substance misuse. Although Screening efficiently dismisses drug presence in most samples, a positive outcome mandates confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples showing presumptive positivity in Screening must undergo a subsequent validation.

In instances of presumptive positivity during Screening, an additional hair quantity is retrieved from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. Here, substances are isolated from the hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), thus making hair drug screening a highly challenging technique to execute.

Positive Screening results are confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed prior to necessary confirmation. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug screenings can identify drug use for up to 90 days, offering a longer detection span than urine tests.
• Challenging to falsify: Hair drug tests present significant resistance to tampering, enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks historical use: Enables tracking of substance use patterns over time, beyond immediate consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent intake: It requires roughly 5-7 days for substances to be discernible in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug analyses incur higher costs than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair complexion and individual growth disparities can influence drug metabolite concentration within hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the actual test examines the hair strand rather than the follicle below the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in East Gaffney, SC
Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing offers superior detection capabilities. With a detection window that far exceeds urine tests, hair samples provide a more reliable and accurate reflection of an individual's substance use history. This makes hair tests an ideal choice for employers seeking adherence to drug-free workplace policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in East Gaffney, SC
Hair follicle tests provide a significant advantage with their extended detection window reaching up to 90 days. This timeframe allows employers to gain valuable insights into an individual's long-term substance use patterns, facilitating more informed hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in East Gaffney, SC
The hair follicle drug testing method is highly resistant to tampering, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the results. This testing approach significantly reduces the risk of sample adulteration, providing stakeholders with unquestionable evidence of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in East Gaffney, SC
With a network of testing centers across the nation, including East Gaffney, our facilities offer easy access to drug testing services. This expansive reach ensures that sites are conveniently accessible for rapid and hassle-free testing experiences.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in East Gaffney, SC
Our drug testing process is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering to result reception, every step is managed with privacy and ease, ensuring participants' comfort and security throughout the procedure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in East Gaffney, SC
We offer competitive pricing alongside quick turnaround times, delivering excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our efficient processes ensure prompt results, allowing companies to make timely employment decisions with confidence.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in East Gaffney, SC
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and rapid results. These tests identify substance use with remarkable accuracy, providing stakeholders with confidence in their findings. The advanced detection technology enables quick processing without compromising the reliability of the results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in East Gaffney, SC
Adopting hair follicle testing helps employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies, thereby reducing legal liabilities and enhancing overall workplace safety. Hair tests foster a secure and compliant environment, providing peace of mind to employers.

Drug Testing Near East Gaffney, SC

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Macedonia, SC

Blacksburg, SC

Cherokee Falls, SC

Cross, SC

Gaffney, SC

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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