Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Johnston, SC

What it is, How it works

Seen as a robust method, hair testing effectively identifies drug and alcohol consumption. Hair holds a long-term record of substances by entrapping biomarkers within the fibers as the hair grows. Collected near the scalp, hair may present a detection timeline of roughly three months for alcohol and substances. Hair collection is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of approximately 200 hair strands (akin to the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, an optimal sample size for assessment and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels beyond ten, a 150mg sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is suggested. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent body hair quantity can be collected. "Head hair" denotes scalp hair exclusively, while "body hair" encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result encompasses four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial sample processing into the laboratory’s framework. It involves verifying sample sealing and shipping, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening constitutes a swift preliminary examination for drug presence. Although Screening efficiently excludes drug use in most samples, positive findings require verification for legal acceptability. Any presumptively positive samples in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample indicated as positive during Screening, extra hair is drawn from the primary specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair in notably lesser concentrations than in other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug screening is the most complex methodology.

Confirmation of any positive Screening outcome occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation where necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection tenure: Hair drug tests detect substance use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Cheat-resistant: Hair drug tests are challenging to falsify, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a pattern of drug utilization over time, beyond just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It generally takes around 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methodologies.
• Result disparities: Aspects such as hair color and growth variability can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is often used incorrectly; the evaluation focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Johnston, SC, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine tests with its unparalleled accuracy and dependability. Compared to urine analysis, it offers a broader detection window and increased reliability, making it a preferred option for those who prioritize thorough and trustworthy drug testing over conventional methods.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Johnston, SC, benefit from the extensive detection window of hair follicle tests, which reveal drug use up to 90 days. This comprehensive insight into an individual’s substance history offers a more accurate assessment than shorter-term tests, ensuring informed hiring decisions and workplace safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The integrity of hair follicle testing in Johnston, SC, is uncompromised by attempts at tampering. This method substantially limits the risk of adulterated samples, ensuring trust in the results. It's an effective choice for those seeking secure and definitive testing outcomes with reliability at its core.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

The nationwide network of testing locations, including Johnston, SC, offers unmatched convenience with Accredited Drug Testing. These facilities ensure that our services are not only accessible but also quick and hassle-free, giving clients reliable proximity and ease wherever they are.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Johnston, SC, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. From order to results, we ensure a seamless experience, safeguarding privacy and providing clarity at every step. This intuitive process is tailored for individuals valuing discretion and ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Johnston, SC, combines cost-effective pricing with quick results. Our competitive rates and rapid turnaround times offer outstanding value, catering to businesses of any size looking to balance budget constraints with quality, reliable testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Johnston, SC, boasts incredible specificity and speed. This method stands out for its precision, swiftly detecting traces of substances with unmatched accuracy. For those seeking reliable and prompt results, hair testing remains a premier choice backed by technological excellence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For Johnston, SC employers, hair follicle testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace regulations, offering peace of mind. With a focus on compliance, this testing method lowers legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing unmistakable proof of a drug-free environment to both management and workforce alike.

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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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