Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Statesville, TN

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now viewed as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair contains a prolonged timeline of substance use by capturing biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, it can provide roughly a 3-month detection period for substances. Hair collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A measurement of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), clipped near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the perfect quantity for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, or assessments exceeding 10 panels, a collection of 150mg is suggested. We advise using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equal volume of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers only to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" refers to other types (such as facial or underarm hair).

Process Overview

The main stages in laboratory analysis for drug testing results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial sample handling upon entering a lab's system. It involves checking the seal and shipment, providing a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and finishing any necessary data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a rapid preliminary check for illegal substances. Even though this is a budget-friendly means to exclude drug use in many cases, any positive result found needs confirmation before being legally valid. Samples with preliminary positive results from Screening require additional confirmation.

For samples showing a potential positive during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample for Extraction. In this process, drug substances are removed from hair at much lower levels than other approaches (like urine or saliva), making hair drug screening particularly challenging.

Positive Screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Every sample with a tentative positive is cleansed before Confirmation as needed. Both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards monitor the whole laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair tests can reveal drug use extending up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with shorter detection spans.
• Difficulty to cheat: Hair drug tests are hard to falsify, offering more reliable results.
• Provides historical data: These tests can disclose a trend of drug use over time, beyond just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs become visible in hair approximately 5-7 days post-use.
• Cost: Hair drug tests typically cost more than alternative methods.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests", the examination actually evaluates the strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Statesville, TN

• Hair follicle tests offer a remarkably longer detection window of up to 90 days, compared to mere days for urine.
• These tests are less susceptible to tampering, ensuring authenticity in results.
• Employers gain a broader understanding of an individual's drug use history, making it a reliable solution.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Statesville, TN

• With a capacity to detect drug use over a 90-day span, hair follicle tests surpass urine tests.
• They offer employers a detailed view of an individual’s substance intake history.
• Long-term detection assists in making informed employment or probation-related decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Statesville, TN

• Hair follicle testing minimizes the risk of sample tampering, presenting trustworthy outcomes.
• The observed collection process enhances the integrity of results.
• This method deters individuals from attempting any form of interference.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Statesville, TN

• Our testing centers are spread across the nation, ensuring accessible and hassle-free services.
• Local availability in Statesville lets individuals undergo examinations without travel burdens.
• Quickly accessible services accommodate last-minute testing needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Statesville, TN

• The testing process is streamlined, ensuring ease for all participants.
• Confidentiality remains paramount, ensuring privacy at each testing phase.
• From test ordering to receiving results, every step values discretion and clarity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Statesville, TN

• Our pricing is competitive, allowing businesses of all sizes to benefit from our services.
• A rapid turnaround means results are delivered swiftly to aid timely decision-making.
• Combined value and speed support cost-effective management of drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Statesville, TN

• The precision of hair follicle tests stands unparalleled, especially in detecting long-term substance use.
• Within a few days, results are rendered, giving both individuals and organizations timely insights.
• Such tests ensure that every trace substance is detected, supporting informed decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Statesville, TN

• Hair testing aligns companies with drug-free workplace initiatives, minimizing legal exposures.
• Such testing bolsters safety, ensuring a secure work environment for all employees.
• Adopting this method demonstrates a robust commitment to community safety standards.

Drug Testing Near Statesville, TN

Lebanon, TN

Cedars, TN

Gordonsville, TN

Walterhill, TN

Woodbury, TN

Lascassas, TN

Saulsbury, TN

North Cannon, TN

Dowelltown, TN

Underhill, TN

Shop Springs, TN

Liberty, TN

Brush Creek, TN

Alexandria, TN

Auburntown, TN

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