Hair Follicle Drug Testing - West Union, SC

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can provide a detection window for alcohol and drugs up to approximately three months. It is easy to gather, relatively hard to alter, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch section of about 200 hair strands (about the size of a #2 pencil) next to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, the optimal sample for screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It's recommended to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When referencing head hair, we refer to scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Overview of the Process

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

Accessioning involves the preliminary processing of a sample into a lab’s system. This process includes ensuring that the sample was sealed and shipped appropriately, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial rapid check for substances of abuse. While Screening offers an economical way to dismiss drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be legitimate in court. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the initial specimen and prepared for Extraction. In this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging methodology to execute.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods corroborate any positive screening results. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation, as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair program and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection window.
• Challenge to tamper: It is highly challenging to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical insight: It can demonstrate a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Constraints:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly compared to other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing is evident in its superior attributes. Hair testing offers enhanced detection accuracy and consistency, outshining traditional urine tests. In West Union, SC, these benefits have led to greater reliance on hair tests to observe a longer period of substance use history.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in hair follicle testing is a significant advantage. In West Union, SC, these tests can trace drug usage over a prolonged period, up to 90 days, providing a thorough overview of an individual's substance history, crucial for comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method like the hair follicle test significantly mitigates the risk of sample adulteration. In West Union, SC, this reliability results in unquestionable analysis, critical for institutions demanding accurate results for critical decisions.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in West Union, SC facilitate easy access to testing. With centers across the nation, individuals and businesses can quickly avail themselves of hair follicle drug testing services without complication, ensuring an effective process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process is central to hair follicle testing in West Union, SC. The straightforward method of ordering, completing, and receiving results respects privacy, offering users a confidential and hassle-free experience from start to finish.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround make hair follicle testing an advantageous option in West Union, SC. With competitive rates and quick result timelines, our service ensures excellent value for businesses of all sizes, sustaining peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are assured with hair follicle testing in West Union, SC. This testing method boasts high precision in identifying substance use efficiently. Test results are not only speedy but also dependable, providing individuals and employers the confidence they need in the analysis conducted.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers are ensured through hair follicle testing in West Union, SC. Adhering to non-tolerance drug policies safeguards legal interests and fortifies workplace safety, allowing businesses to operate without the concern of drug use issues.

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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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