Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bingham, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and drugs by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When acquired near the scalp, hair offers up to an approximate 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is uncomplicated, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to a #2 pencil's width) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimal sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be used. When referring to head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four primary steps in processing a drug test result in the lab include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of entering a sample into the lab’s system. This step includes checking if the sample was sealed and sent correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for court admissibility. Samples testing positive in Screening need subsequent confirmation.

If the Screening stage results in a presumptive positive, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens are cleaned before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair drug tests can spot drug use up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: It is challenging to falsify a hair drug test, leading to more accurate results.
• Historical insight: It reveals a drug use pattern over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to spot recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than other testing approaches.
• Result variances: Elements like hair color and individual growth differences can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: While often labeled as "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis targets the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Bingham, NE

Hair follicle testing stands supreme in detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine tests. In Bingham, it proves advantageous with a longer detection period and is harder to manipulate. Employers and courts trust hair testing for its comprehensive substance use history, making it a superior choice in drug detection methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Bingham, NE

The proficiency of hair follicle testing lies in its ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days. In Bingham, this extended window offers employers a detailed view of an individual’s substance history, aiding in informed decision-making. It’s a reliable tool for maintaining workplace integrity through comprehensive substance evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Bingham, NE

In Bingham, hair follicle tests are lauded for their resistance to tampering. This testing method minimizes the likelihood of sample alteration, providing results that stand up to scrutiny. By using a hair follicle test, one ensures reliable and indisputable findings, enhancing the fairness and accuracy of the drug testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Bingham, NE

Our testing centers are nationwide, including Bingham, ensuring accessibility and efficiency for all. Experience the convenience of quick, easy, and hassle-free testing services no matter where you are. Local and national coverage means you never have to travel far for comprehensive drug testing solutions.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Bingham, NE

Our hair follicle testing process in Bingham is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering to test execution and receiving results, it ensures privacy and ease. Addressing concerns about discretion, this streamlined procedure maintains trust and integrity while facilitating hassle-free drug testing.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Bingham, NE

Competitive pricing combined with quick result delivery defines our services in Bingham. We provide exceptional value for businesses of all sizes with affordable rates and rapid test results, fostering peace of mind and ensuring cost-effective assurance for your drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Bingham, NE

Hair follicle tests in Bingham offer precision and speed, providing accurate substance detection. Their comprehensive analysis ensures reliable identification of drug intake, making them a preferred choice for swift and effective testing. Choosing hair follicle tests guarantees prompt and dependable outcomes when measuring substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Bingham, NE

Employers in Bingham benefit from hair follicle testing, aligning with drug-free workplace policies and reducing legal risks. This method reassures compliance with regulations and cultivates a safe working environment, offering peace of mind while safeguarding against substance-related threats in business settings.

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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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