Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Ashton, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair provides an extended record of substance intake by capturing biomarkers within the growing strands. When collected close to the scalp, this method offers a potential 3-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with around 200 hair strands (approximately #2 pencil width) taken nearest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimal quantity for screening and verification. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It’s recommended to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a similar amount of body hair may be used. Head hair denotes scalp hair only. Body hair refers to any other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures for a drug test result encompass four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the preliminary processing of a sample into the lab's database. This entails verifying the sample’s proper sealing and shipment, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any missing data not entered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out substance use among the majority of samples, a confirmation is necessary for any positive screen to be admissible in court. Presumptively positive samples from Screening do need a secondary confirmation.

When a Screening stage suggests a positive result, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction process. In this stage, drugs are retrieved from hair, albeit at a lower concentration than found in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug screening a challenging methodology to execute.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are pre-washed prior to confirmation as needed. The laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: It's extremely challenging to falsify a hair drug test, thus ensuring more accurate outcomes.
• Historical information: It can indicate a pattern of substance use over time, rather than just recent activity.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Price: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other drug testing methods.
• Variability in findings: Elements like hair pigmentation and individual variations in hair growth may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

For employers in Ashton, NE, hair follicle testing offers clear advantages over traditional urine tests. Hair testing provides superior detection of drug use, capturing a longer history and offering higher accuracy. With a window extending up to 90 days, hair testing becomes the preferred method, surpassing urine tests in reliability and comprehensive results.

In contrast to urine tests, hair follicle testing in Ashton is nearly impossible to circumvent. This reliability makes it an ideal choice for employers committed to maintaining a drug-free environment, ensuring long-term employee safety and compliance.

Extended Detection Window

In Ashton, NE, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing presents a major advantage. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, this method provides employers with a detailed view of an individual's substance use history, beyond immediate recent consumption.

This comprehensive detection period equips businesses with the insight needed to evaluate potential employees properly, ensuring consistency in workplace drug policies and aiding informed decision-making during hiring or evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Ashton, NE, businesses benefit greatly from the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing. This method significantly reduces the risk of adulteration, standing as a reliable option that assures employers of genuine results.

Employers can trust the robustness of hair testing, as it mitigates concerns over manipulation. The process is designed to uphold the integrity of the sample, ensuring that the outcomes are both reliable and indisputable, essential for workplace policies.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers nationwide, including locations in Ashton, NE, we offer convenience and accessibility for all your testing needs. Our centers are designed to provide quick, straightforward services, ensuring minimal disruption to your schedule.

Whether you're seeking local or nationwide services, our testing centers are strategically placed to serve you better. This ensures that you can access reliable testing services without the hassle of long-distance travel.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Ashton, NE, the process for hair follicle testing is designed to be both simple and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving your results, each step is streamlined for ease of use, maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security.

Our commitment to simplicity ensures that individuals and employers can access reliable testing services without unnecessary complexity, addressing any concerns about confidentiality and accessibility effectively.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and speedy results, our hair follicle testing services in Ashton, NE, cater to businesses of all sizes. We ensure that you receive great value, combining quality testing with affordability and quick turnaround.

Our efficient processes mean that you won't have to wait long for results, allowing for timely decision-making. Coupled with competitive rates, our services provide the best in financial and practical value.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Ashton, NE, hair follicle drug testing offers unmatched speed and precision. This method is highly accurate, ensuring reliable detection of substance use. Whether for pre-employment screening or routine checks, employers can count on swift and trustworthy results, helping them make informed decisions in reduced timeframes.

The accuracy of hair testing in Ashton is second to none, allowing for confident results every time. Employers favor this method for its ability to quickly and precisely identify drug use, ensuring that your workplace remains safe and compliant without delays.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Ashton, NE, find solace in the compliance benefits of hair follicle testing. By adopting this method, they can align with drug-free workplace policies, reducing legal liabilities while promoting safety.

Utilizing hair testing equips employers with the necessary peace of mind, knowing that their organization is taking proactive steps to uphold a secure and compliant work environment. This method supports seamless adherence to workplace regulations.

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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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