Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Big Springs, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective means to detect drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy history of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer up to roughly a 3-month detection period for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will provide 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equal quantity of body hair might be collected. When mentioning head hair, we are referring solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in the laboratory encompasses four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the initial sample processing into a laboratory’s framework. This encompasses ensuring that the sample was appropriately sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid examination for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to exclude drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be admissible in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

Should a sample appear presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is drawn from the initial sample for Extraction. During this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than with other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is regarded as the most intricate method to conduct.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests possess a shorter detection window.
• Difficult to manipulate: It is challenging to falsify a hair drug test, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It can provide a timeline of drug usage over an extended period, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests," the test itself analyzes the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why opt for hair follicle testing over urine tests in Big Springs, NE? Hair tests are more accurate and dependable due to their extended detection period. Unlike urine tests, which can be easily influenced or altered, hair testing provides a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug use over time, making it the superior choice for businesses and institutions.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests in Big Springs, NE, offer an unparalleled detection window of up to 90 days. This extensive period gives employers a deeper insight into the long-term substance habits of applicants and employees. It provides a fuller picture of one's lifestyle choices, helping make informed hiring and management decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Big Springs, NE, hair follicle tests are a tamper-resistant option for drug testing, minimizing sample manipulation risks. These tests ensure results are trustworthy and contested less often, as they are nearly tamper-proof. Hair analysis stands out as the reliable choice for trustworthy test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Enjoy the convenience of Big Springs, NE, and nationwide testing centers for hassle-free drug testing access. These centers ensure swift and easy services, allowing individuals and companies to meet their testing needs without difficulty, highlighting the widespread availability and reach of testing solutions wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Big Springs, NE, the process for hair follicle testing is simple and private. Ordering, performing tests, and receiving results is straightforward and secure, addressing any privacy concerns. This simplicity allows individuals to undergo testing without unnecessary complications or fears of privacy breaches.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Big Springs, NE, offers affordable pricing and fast turnarounds for hair follicle drug tests, providing great value for companies of all sizes. These competitive pricing structures ensure that businesses can access reliable testing solutions without overspending, coupled with quick results for timely decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Big Springs, NE, hair follicle drug tests offer unmatched speed and accuracy in detecting drugs. Their precision ensures that substance use is effectively identified, providing reliable results. This method surpasses others in providing swift outcomes, which are critically essential for employers needing immediate clarity on drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Big Springs, NE, achieve peace of mind with hair follicle testing, ensuring adherence to drug-free workplace policies and reducing legal risks. This method enhances workplace safety by establishing a thorough policy for dealing with potential substance issues among employees, safeguarding company interests.

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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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