Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Benkelman, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair strand's fibers. When taken close to the scalp, hair offers an approximate 3-month detection window for alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing around 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels above 10, 150mg of the sample is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale for specimen weighing is recommended. If scalp hair isn't accessible, a similar quantity of body hair may be gathered. Referring to head hair pertains to scalp hair only, while body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four critical stages in lab processing of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample within a lab system. This step ensures the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any extra data entry not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves a preliminary swift drug check. Although Screening is a budget-friendly strategy to dismiss drug usage in most samples, positive results must be verified to stand in court. All samples showing presumptive positive results in Screening require a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample tests presumptive positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. This phase involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed following both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection timeline.
• Challenging to bypass: Hair drug test manipulation is quite difficult, which enhances result accuracy.
• Shows historical usage: Offers a timeline of drug use rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: A 5-7 day period is required for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: In general, hair drug tests are pricier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Variability in results: Differences such as hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", these tests evaluate the hair strand itself, not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing is superior to traditional urine testing in Benkelman, NE. The primary benefit lies in its superior detection capability, extending up to 90 days. In contrast, urine tests typically detect recent use, missing longer-term patterns. The accuracy of hair tests provides a clearer, more reliable record of substance use.
Employers benefit from this enhanced reliability and detection period, as it ensures adherence to workplace policies and safety standards.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests offer an extended detection window, proving their value in Benkelman, NE. This method can identify drug use over a 90-day period, providing a thorough overview of an individual's substance history. Employers gain insights into consistent usage patterns, aiding long-term compliance and workforce safety.
The capacity to detect extended drug use allows employers to make well-informed hiring and retention decisions, thereby ensuring a safer workplace.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing in Benkelman, NE, sets it apart. Unlike other methods, these tests significantly minimize sample adulteration risks. Results obtained are dependable and difficult to dispute.
Incorporating this testing method into drug-free policies ensures confidence in outcomes. Such assurance protects against manipulation, providing true representations of an individual's drug use history.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide network of accredited testing centers, including those in Benkelman, NE, simplifies access to drug testing services. Each center ensures a seamless and prompt testing process, providing convenient solutions for everyone.
Local availability means reduced wait times and increased efficiency. This convenience extends to a wide range of testing needs, accommodating diverse clients across national locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for hair follicle testing in Benkelman, NE, is both straightforward and confidential, ensuring privacy concerns are met. With an easy ordering system, taking the test and receiving results are hassle-free experiences.
This straightforward approach builds trust with both individuals and employers, addressing any anxieties regarding data protection and ensuring complete confidentiality throughout the testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Benkelman, NE, our competitive pricing for hair follicle testing ensures excellent value. Quick turnaround times further enhance the cost-effectiveness, catering to businesses of all sizes.
Affordable services paired with reliability provide firms with an economical choice for maintaining workplace safety, proving peace of mind without breaking the budget. This prioritizes both fiscal responsibility and stringent safety standards.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The reliability and accuracy of hair follicle drug tests in Benkelman, NE, are unmatched. These tests provide fast, precise results, crucial for detecting substance abuse with high confidence. By accurately revealing drug use, they support informed decision-making.
Hair testing methods ensure that results are both timely and exact, offering peace of mind to employers and officials. Swift turnaround times enhance testing efficiency in various contexts.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employing hair follicle testing in Benkelman, NE, enhances compliance with workplace drug policies, offering peace of mind to employers. By detecting drug use accurately, legal liabilities are minimized, ensuring a safe, productive environment.
Workplace safety is underpinned by these reliable tests, emphasizing commitment to a drug-free setting and reducing potential for costly disputes associated with substance use.

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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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