Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Roebuck, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a key instrument for detecting alcohol and drug usage. The fibers within the growing hair strand capture biomarkers, offering a long-term indication of drug involvement. When hair is collected near the scalp, it provides a detection period of up to roughly three months for alcohol and drug substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the ideal amount for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations beyond 10 panels, 150mg of sample is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the specimen. If scalp hair is not obtainable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, while body hair includes all other hair variants (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary segments in a laboratory analysis for a drug test outcome: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the sample's initial processing within a lab's database. This entails ensuring the sample is properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry not included in an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening is an initial rapid test for drug abuse. While it offers a cost-saving method to dismiss drug usage in most cases, a confirmed result is necessary for legal validity. Those samples initially flagged as positive in Screening need to undergo secondary confirmation.

When a sample presents presumptively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and set for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are pulled from hair at concentrations significantly lower than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), accounting for the challenging nature of hair drug screening methodologies.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples identified as presumptive positive are washed before confirmation if needed. The entire lab process ranging from Accessioning to Confirmation is vetted under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analysis can uncover drug usage for up to 90 days, contrary to urine tests with a limited detection timeframe.
• Reduced cheating potential: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical overview: It extends an overview of drug patterns over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs become visible in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug evaluations typically cost more than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in the hair.

Note: Although known as "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair fiber and not the scalp-embedded hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Roebuck, SC

• Hair testing offers a longer detection window compared to traditional urine tests.
• It provides superior accuracy and is less susceptible to manipulation or deceit.
• As a result, hair tests are becoming the preferred method for substance detection.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Roebuck, SC

• Hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection window of up to 90 days.
• Employers gain a more comprehensive assessment of an individual's substance use history.
• This expansive detection period allows for better hiring and monitoring decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Roebuck, SC

• Hair follicle tests are significantly less prone to tampering.
• Their reliable collection process ensures authenticity and trustworthiness.
• This results in unquestioned integrity of the test outcomes, crucial for accurate evaluations.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Roebuck, SC

• Our widespread testing centers afford seamless access to testing services.
• Individuals can easily locate a nearby facility for timely and efficient testing.
• This accessibility simplifies the testing process for all parties involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Roebuck, SC

• Our straightforward and private testing process addresses privacy concerns.
• Ordering, conducting, and receiving results is designed to be user-friendly.
• Clients benefit from a stress-free and discreet testing experience, ensuring confidentiality at all stages.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Roebuck, SC

• We provide competitive pricing structures, making testing affordable for companies of any size.
• Quick turnaround times ensure timely results without compromising quality.
• Our services offer excellent value and reassurance to employers seeking efficient drug testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Roebuck, SC

• Hair follicle drug tests are renowned for their precision in detecting substance use with high accuracy.
• The sophisticated testing process ensures results are both reliable and swiftly delivered.
• This method is preferable for organizations seeking prompt and dependable drug screening outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Roebuck, SC

• Incorporating hair follicle testing aligns with drug-free workplace policies.
• This approach minimizes legal risks and promotes a safer work environment.
• Employers enjoy peace of mind knowing they are maintaining compliance effortlessly.

Drug Testing Near Roebuck, SC

Clifton, SC

Woodruff, SC

Lyman, SC

Converse, SC

Wellford, SC

Valley Falls, SC

Reidville, SC

Startex, SC

Southern Shops, SC

Pauline, SC

Saxon, SC

Spartanburg, SC

Fairmont Mills, SC

Moore, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews