Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Assumption, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fiber. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection range of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair can't be collected, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we specifically mean scalp hair. Body hair includes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the preliminary handling of a sample into a lab’s system, verifying the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary rapid check for abuse drugs. While Screening is an economical means to exclude drug use for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation to be legally tenable. Samples with presumed positive results in Screening require additional confirmation.

If a sample shows presumed positive during Screening, further hair is drawn from the original sample and readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening notably challenging to execute.

To confirm any positive screening, GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS technologies are used. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, which is longer than the detection period of urine tests.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely tough, ensuring more reliable results.
• Historical identification: A consistent pattern of drug use over time is revealed, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectable: Drugs become visible in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing usually costs more than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variation: Drug metabolite concentration variations in hair can occur due to factors like hair color and individual hair growth differences.

Note: Though often called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Assumption, NE, hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing due to its superior detection capabilities. This method unveils substance use with greater accuracy, catching long-term drug usage, whereas urine tests show recent consumption.

The reliability of hair testing provides considerable advantages over urine testing. In contrast, urine tests have a limited detection window, making hair tests an ideal choice for comprehensive assessments.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Assumption, NE offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days. This capability allows employers to gauge a more accurate substance history of potential hires or current staff.

Employers benefit from a broader view of an individual's drug use, which hair testing offers. This extensive detection period is unmatched by alternative testing methods like urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Assumption, NE recognizes hair follicle tests as a tamper-resistant method compared to others. The testing process and collection method significantly reduce the potential for sample adulteration.

By choosing hair follicle testing, the likelihood of producing dubious or altered results diminishes. This method stands out for its ability to provide unquestionable and trustworthy outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

In Assumption, NE, our testing centers offer convenient access nationwide. Whether local or far, our widespread network ensures trouble-free testing access for all individuals.

Our easily accessible locations mean testing can quickly fit into anyone’s schedule. This nationwide presence negates the logistical issues often encountered.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our simple process promises privacy and ease for hair follicle testing in Assumption, NE. The steps from ordering to receiving results are designed to be straightforward and discreet.

The confidentiality of the process ensures that personal data remains secure, meeting the privacy expectations of all participants involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With affordable pricing and rapid results, our services in Assumption, NE provide great value. Competitive rates ensure various businesses can utilize our testing services without burdening financials.

Additionally, our quick turnaround times mean companies gain insights promptly, dovetailing their need for efficient, cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Assumption, NE are both fast and accurate. These tests deliver speedy results, ensuring prompt feedback. Their precision in identifying multiple substances enhances their reliability for users seeking quick and effective testing.

With an emphasis on efficiency, hair follicle testing minimizes wait times while maintaining high accuracy. This method's swift turnaround offers peace of mind for those needing urgent results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance with workplace drug policies in Assumption, NE can be achieved using hair follicle testing. This ensures adherence to zero-tolerance programs, reducing risks of legal issues.

Employers can experience peace of mind with hair testing's reliable outcomes, promoting a safer, more secure workplace environment while meeting compliance needs.

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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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