Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Arlington, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair examinations are increasingly recognized as a significant means of identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair encapsulates a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the structure of the developing hair shaft. When gathered near the scalp, hair may offer an alcohol and drug detection time frame extending up to roughly 90 days. Hair collection is uncomplicated, reasonably resistant to tampering, and straightforward for dispatch.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising approximately 200 hair strands (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) nearest the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg portion of the sample is advisable. We advocate for measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. In instances where scalp hair is not accessible, a proportional quantity of body hair might be gathered. Reference to head hair specifically denotes scalp hair. Body hair implies any other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in processing a drug test outcome within the lab are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial phase of entering a specimen into a lab’s framework. This step verifies the sample’s proper sealing and transportation, the allocation of a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), as well as finalizing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody protocol.

Screening constitutes an introductory swift assessment for substance abuse. Although Screening provides a budget-friendly method to discount drug presence in most specimens, any positive result requires validation for court purposes. Samples that initially test positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Should a sample yield a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are drawn from hair at substantially reduced concentrations than in alternate procedures (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing the most challenging procedure to accomplish.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing before confirmation if needed. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is subject to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation as well as the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a limited detection duration.
• Hard to evade: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing the results' reliability.
• Yields historical insights: It delivers a pattern of substance use over a timeframe, not merely recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Detection in hair requires approximately 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests incur greater costs in comparison to alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair hue and unique differences in hair growth can influence the drug metabolite concentration within the hair.

Note: Despite being frequently termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Arlington, NE, offers advantages over traditional urine tests, delivering superior detection accuracy and reliability. While urine tests can identify recent drug use, hair samples provide an extended detection window, ensuring a more comprehensive substance use history. The enhanced reliability of hair testing has made it a favored option for employers enforcing drug-free workplace policies, providing peace of mind and confidence in the results.

Extended Detection Window

An extended detection window is a significant benefit of hair follicle testing in Arlington, NE. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests can reveal drug use for up to 90 days, offering a detailed picture of an individual's substance use history. This wide detection range is invaluable for employers requiring a thorough evaluation of an employee or candidate's drug habits, helping to maintain a reliable and drug-free work environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Arlington, NE, substantially minimizes the risk of sample tampering, ensuring reliable and unquestionable results. Unlike other testing methods prone to adulteration, hair samples are collected under observation, making it nearly impossible to alter or substitute. This secure process provides dependable test results, helping organizations maintain integrity in their drug-testing programs.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient located testing centers across the nation, including Arlington, NE, make accessing drug testing services quick and hassle-free. Our comprehensive network ensures that individuals and employers can easily find nearby facilities, simplifying the testing process. This vast reach helps guarantee that testing services are readily available and accessible, meeting the needs of clients nationwide.

Simple, Confidential Process

The drug testing process in Arlington, NE, is both simple and confidential, from ordering to receiving results. Ensuring privacy and ease of use, the process addresses any concerns about confidentiality, giving clients the confidence to proceed without hesitation. The straightforward approach enables individuals and businesses to manage their testing needs efficiently and discreetly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Arlington, NE, offers competitive pricing and quick turnaround for hair follicle drug testing, delivering excellent value and peace of mind for businesses of all sizes. Our pricing structures are designed to offer affordability, without compromising on the quality and speed of results. This ensures organizations can maintain their budgets while upholding high standards in their drug testing programs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and quickness of hair follicle drug tests in Arlington, NE, guarantee fast, accurate, and reliable results. These tests are renowned for their high ability to detect substance use, ensuring that employers and individuals receive accurate information swiftly. The streamlined testing process allows for efficient turnaround, making it an ideal choice for those who require immediate and dependable drug testing outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Arlington, NE, using hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug-free policies and contributes to employers' peace of mind. The precise testing method helps reduce legal risks and enhances workplace safety by deterring substance abuse. By integrating hair testing into employment practices, companies can support a safer and more compliant working environment for all employees.

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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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