Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Parksville, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly regarded as an effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. This technique offers a prolonged history of drug use by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of a growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal a detection timeframe of up to approximately three months for alcohol and other substances. The process of collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

To acquire a good sample for screening and confirmation, a 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield about 100mg of hair. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests that exceed 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is recommended. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is advised. In instances where scalp hair is absent, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. References to head hair specifically mean scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The lab process of drug testing encompasses four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the initial stage of integrating a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step includes confirming the proper sealing and shipping of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry that is not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening represents a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. Although Screening provides a cost-effective approach to excluding drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive result is necessary for it to stand up in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive during the Screening phase require a subsequent confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are removed from the hair at concentrations much lower than in other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening compared to other methodologies.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed as needed before confirmation. The entire laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation alongside accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests offer a shorter detection period.
• Strong resistance to tampering: Since it is exceptionally challenging to alter a hair drug test, the outcomes tend to be more reliable.
• Ability to illustrate drug usage patterns: Hair testing can reveal a timeline of drug use over an extended duration, contrasting with solely recent use detection.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent drug use: A period of approximately 5-7 days is needed for drugs to become detectable in the hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to alternative drug testing techniques.
• Potential variations in results: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites present in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the procedure focuses on analyzing the hair strand itself rather than the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle and urine tests in Parksville, SC, hair testing emerges as superior. The accuracy and reliability of hair tests surpass traditional urine tests, offering a broader window of detection. These advantages make hair testing the preferred choice for many employers concerned with drug-free policies.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Parksville, SC, offers an extended detection window for drug use, spanning up to 90 days. This prolonged timeframe allows employers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history, ensuring informed decisions regarding employment or continued workplace suitability.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Parksville, SC, hair follicle tests provide a tamper-resistant method for drug testing. This test substantially minimizes the risk of sample adulteration, ensuring results are both reliable and unquestionable. This reliability is crucial for employers and institutions needing trustworthy drug screening outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accredited Drug Testing offers convenient nationwide centers, including Parksville, SC, ensuring access to fast and hassle-free testing services. With multiple local sites, individuals quickly obtain the assessments they need without complicated procedures or significant travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Parksville, SC, ordering and undertaking a hair follicle test is a simple and confidential process. Clients appreciate the secure handling of their information, with the ease of receiving results alleviating concerns regarding privacy and security.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Accredited Drug Testing in Parksville, SC, is committed to providing affordable drug testing services with fast turnaround times. Competitive pricing and efficient service deliver excellent value, supporting companies of various sizes in maintaining their commitment to a drug-free workplace policy.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Parksville, SC, the precision of hair follicle drug tests ensures fast results. These tests stand out with their high accuracy in identifying substance use, providing reliable outcomes that employers and others can trust. The speed of obtaining results contributes to timely decision-making, enhancing overall efficiency.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Parksville, SC, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with a drug-free workplace policy. This testing method reduces legal risks and enhances workplace safety, providing peace of mind and contributing to a more productive and secure working environment.

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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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