Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stevens Creek, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by ensnaring biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can furnish a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch snippet of approximately 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or examinations exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We suggest weighing the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. When mentioning head hair, we are referring solely to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases involved in the laboratory processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the primary processing of a specimen into a laboratory’s system. This involves confirming that the sample was sealed and dispatched accurately, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and accomplishing any supplementary data entry not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary rapid check for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug usage for the majority of samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be permissible in court. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepped for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation as required. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter detection window.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is very challenging, thus rendering the results more reliable.
• Provides historical data: It can offer a timeline of drug use over a duration, not only recent use.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than alternative drug testing methods.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the actual test analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over urine testing? In Stevens Creek, SC, hair tests offer a superior alternative with their enhanced detection accuracy. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair testing provides more reliable results and a longer detection period, ensuring no recent drug use is overlooked.

While urine tests detect recent substance use, hair follicle tests are preferred for their comprehensive analysis and high reliability. Their capacity to track extensive drug history offers unmatched assurance for employers.

Extended Detection Window

Choosing hair follicle testing in Stevens Creek, SC, grants access to an extended detection window. This testing method exposes substance use over the past 90 days, offering employers a complete view of an employee's drug history.

With this longer detection period, Stevens Creek businesses gain a significant advantage. Hair follicle testing provides insight into long-term substance use, unlike shorter detection windows of traditional testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Concerns about sample tampering? In Stevens Creek, SC, hair follicle tests offer a significantly tamper-resistant alternative. This method reduces the risk of results being compromised, providing reliable and clear results.

Hair testing in Stevens Creek stands as a robust deterrent against adulteration. By minimizing tampering risks, it upholds the integrity of the testing process, assuring stakeholders of unquestionable results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide facilities, including those in Stevens Creek, SC, offer unparalleled convenience. Whether you're local or far away, accessing our testing services is quick and hassle-free.

With extensive locations, residents of Stevens Creek enjoy the ease of nearby testing centers. Our network ensures that drug testing services remain accessible and simple for all required procedures.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Stevens Creek, SC, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential. From ordering to receiving results, we maintain privacy, making the procedure both easy and discreet for our clients.

The straightforward testing process in Stevens Creek addresses concerns about confidentiality. Our commitment ensures that clients experience a smooth and private testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Stevens Creek, SC, our hair follicle testing provides affordable solutions with fast turnaround times. Our competitive pricing offers great value and swift results, making it ideal for businesses of any size.

We pride ourselves on budget-friendly options without sacrificing quality. Stevens Creek customers benefit from prompt and efficient service that fits their financial and operational needs perfectly.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stevens Creek, SC, hair follicle drug tests provide fast and accurate results. They offer superior precision by effectively identifying substance use. This method is renowned for its high accuracy, ensuring that results are both reliable and timely for businesses and individuals.

The speed at which hair tests deliver outcomes is exceptional. Stevens Creek facilities prioritize efficiency without compromising the precision of the test. This assures stakeholders of the reliable detection capabilities inherent in hair testing.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Stevens Creek, SC, utilizing hair follicle testing ensures adherence to workplace compliance. This method helps reduce legal issues and enhances workplace safety with its comprehensive detection abilities.

Hair follicle testing provides peace of mind to employers. Stevens Creek workplaces benefit from reduced risks and a drug-free environment, fostering a safer and more compliant workspace.

Drug Testing Near Stevens Creek, SC

Beech Island, SC

Clarks Hill, SC

Edgefield, SC

Meriwether, SC

Warrenville, SC

Langley, SC

Graniteville, SC

Vaucluse, SC

Bath, SC

Burnettown, SC

Clearwater, SC

North Augusta, SC

Morgana, SC

Belvedere, SC

Murphys Estates, 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