Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Atlanta, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as an efficient method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Through capturing biomarkers in the strands, hair offers a prolonged record of alcohol and drug activity. Harvested near the scalp, it provides an estimated 3-month detection timeframe for these substances. Collecting hair is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches from around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg, the preferred amount for testing and verification. For EtG enhancements and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of sample is suggested. It's advised to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, it specifically denotes scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The core steps in processing drug test results in a lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial inclusion of a sample into the lab’s database. It ensures the sample is sealed and shipped correctly, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data input missing from an electronic custody record.

Screening offers a preliminary inspection for drug abuse. Though cost-efficient, a positive outcome from Screening must undergo Confirmation to hold up legally. Samples flagged as positive need auxiliary verification.

In cases of a presumptive positive at the Screening phase, additional hair from the original sample is utilized for Extraction. Here, drugs are removed from hair at a much diluted level than in other methods (like urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug analysis.

To confirm a positive Screening outcome, methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS are used. Presumptive positive samples get washed before needing Confirmation. All phases from Accessioning to Confirmation are meticulously reviewed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Unlike the brief span of urine tests, hair analysis detects drug usage up to 90 days.
• Low risk of deception: It's challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, enhancing result fidelity.
• Provides sequential data: It can present a timeline of drug consumption, not solely recent instances.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: Drugs take 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analysis is typically pricier than alternate testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth may influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis involves the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Atlanta, NE
In drug detection, hair follicle tests stand superior to urine tests. Their enhanced detection sensitivity offers superior accuracy and dependability. Unlike traditional urine evaluations, hair analyses capture an extensive history of use, allowing for a clearer and longer look at an individual's substance intake, thus making hair testing a preferred option.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Atlanta, NE
Providing a unique advantage, hair follicle testing allows insight into drug use going back up to 90 days. For employers in Atlanta, NE, this means receiving extensive data concerning an individual's substance history. Such a long-range detection window helps in making better-informed decisions regarding hiring and maintaining workplace integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Atlanta, NE
Hair follicle tests are exceptionally skilled at preventing sample tampering, offering results that are almost impervious to adulteration. In Atlanta, NE, this reliability helps entities trust their testing outcomes, as the process leaves little room for deception, providing authentic and credible evidence of substance use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Atlanta, NE
Our extensive network of testing centers ensures accessible drug testing services both locally in Atlanta, NE and nationwide. This widespread availability guarantees quick, effortless access, minimizing inconvenience for individuals and organizations seeking testing solutions, thus enhancing the overall service experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Atlanta, NE
Ordering and undergoing hair follicle testing in Atlanta, NE is straightforward and private. We prioritize confidentiality from start to finish, ensuring that the process remains discreet. Clients can expect a seamless experience, from ordering the test to receiving results, with guaranteed respect for privacy at all stages.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Atlanta, NE
Our pricing strategy and speedy result delivery make hair follicle testing in Atlanta, NE both cost-effective and timely. Companies of all sizes benefit from competitive rates and prompt turnaround, gaining exceptional value and reassurance in their investment, catering to diverse budgetary needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Atlanta, NE
Hair follicle tests offer unmatched precision when it comes to detecting drug use. In Atlanta, NE, this method has proven to provide fast, reliable outcomes. The advantage lies in their capacity to accurately pinpoint substance usage, ensuring that results are both swift and dependable, giving peace of mind to all stakeholders involved.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Atlanta, NE
Employers using hair follicle testing in Atlanta, NE can rest easy knowing their drug-free workplace policies are diligently upheld. This method not only assists in legal compliance but significantly contributes to safe and efficient work environments, reducing potential liabilities while fostering safety and morale.

Drug Testing Near Atlanta, NE

Smithfield, NE

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Edison, NE

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Wilcox, NE

Huntley, NE

Bertrand, NE

Funk, NE

Oxford, NE

Ragan, NE

Mascot, NE

Loomis, NE

Holdrege, NE

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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