Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Society Hill, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is recognized as an effective technique for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The strands of hair capture biological indicators within their growing fibers, offering an extensive record of alcohol and drug presence. Collected near the scalp, hair can reveal up to about a 3-month period for detecting substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample, approximately 200 strands (similar to a #2 pencil's thickness), closest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it signifies scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other types, including facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory process of drug testing follows four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning marks the initial stage of recording a sample within a lab's system. This step verifies the correct sealing and shipment of the sample, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputs any necessary data not included by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening provides a preliminary, swift evaluation for drug abuse. While it’s an affordable means to eliminate drug use for most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be valid in legal contexts. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening demand additional verification.

Samples with presumptive positives during Screening have more hair extracted from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis one of the most challenging techniques.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples with presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The complete lab process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is examined under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection span: Hair drug tests identify drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter range of detection.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is considerably hard, thus enhancing the reliability of test results.
• Supplies longitudinal data: It reveals drug usage patterns over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent use: It generally takes 5-7 days for drugs to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests cost more compared to other drug testing strategies.
• Variability in outcomes: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often termed as "hair follicle tests", the procedure analyzes the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Society Hill, SC, hair follicle testing dominates over urine testing due to enhanced detection capabilities and reliability. While urine tests provide limited scopes, hair tests offer superior accuracy and an extended view of substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Society Hill, SC benefit from hair follicle testing's extended detection range, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This prolonged window offers a complete depiction of an individual's substance-related activities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Society Hill, SC significantly mitigate the likelihood of sample tampering. The methodology ensures the authenticity and indisputability of results, bolstering confidence in the findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing sites throughout Society Hill, SC and nationwide, accessing drug testing services becomes a simple, quick, and seamless process for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

The procedure for scheduling, taking, and receiving hair follicle testing results in Society Hill, SC is straightforward and discreet. This guards concerns of confidentiality while ensuring ease and accessibility.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and swift result turnaround make hair follicle testing in Society Hill, SC an attractive option for businesses of every size, delivering significant value and reassurance.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The rapidity and precision of hair follicle drug assessments in Society Hill, SC are unparalleled. With a high degree of accuracy, these tests are exceptional in identifying recent substance use. The quick collection method ensures reliable results in less time than ever.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For businesses in Society Hill, SC, utilizing hair follicle testing fortifies adherence to drug-free policies. This practice not only diminishes legal liabilities but also amplifies workplace safety, fostering a secure 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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