Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Boys Town, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of alcohol and drugs by encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows. When sampled near the scalp, hair can provide a detection span of up to about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to send.

A 1.5-inch section comprising roughly 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the ideal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It is recommended to measure the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is unavailable, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When mentioning head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The four fundamental phases in the laboratory processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory’s system. This process involves confirming the sample was properly sealed and shipped, generating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and executing any additional data entry not accounted for by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial brief assessment for abuse substances. Although Screening is an economical way to rule out drug usage for most samples, a positive screen must undergo confirmation to be permissible in court. All samples presumptively positive in Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening stage, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for preparation in Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than found in other methodologies (such as urine or oral fluid), contributing to the complexity of performing hair drug screening.

Any positive screening result undergoes Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples deemed presumptive positive are cleansed before confirmation when necessary. The entire laboratory workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection timeframe: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests, which have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Altering a hair drug test is exceedingly difficult, which enhances the accuracy of the results.
• Supplies historical data: It reveals a pattern of drug usage over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Not effective for recent use: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can modify the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: The test commonly referred to as a "hair follicle test" actually examines the hair strand rather than the hair follicle situated beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Boys Town, NE, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests. Unlike urine tests, hair tests provide a broader detection timeframe, revealing drug use patterns up to 90 days prior. This extended lookback offers superior insight into an individual’s substance use history.

Furthermore, the accuracy and reliability of hair testing are unmatched. By minimizing the potential for tampering and capitalizing on advanced analyzing methods, hair follicle tests surpass the capabilities of standard urine tests, offering greater detection precision.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Boys Town, NE, provides a thorough view into an individual’s drug use over several months. This capability is essential for employers who need a comprehensive understanding of an applicant or employee's substance history.

Employers gain valuable insights with the extended 90-day detection period, which surpasses the capabilities of other drug testing methods. This attribute makes hair follicle testing an indispensable tool for maintaining workplace integrity and safety.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing presents a tamper-resistant method in Boys Town, NE, significantly reducing the possibility of sample adulteration. The reliance on hair samples makes it challenging to deceive the testing process or alter results.

This robust testing methodology ensures that results are steadfast and defensible, offering peace of mind to employers and institutions that require verifiable outcomes. This reliability is crucial for maintaining both confidence and accuracy in drug testing protocols.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our nationwide testing centers, including those in Boys Town, NE, offer convenience, allowing for swift and straightforward access to testing services. No matter where you are located, our comprehensive network ensures that testing is both quick and hassle-free.

The local presence of our centers means residents of Boys Town can easily access the reliable drug testing they need without unnecessary delays or complications. This local access supports the community's need for timely and efficient service.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process for drug testing in Boys Town, NE, remains simple and confidential, ensuring privacy and ease of use. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are designed to maintain discretion and are streamlined for user convenience.

Customers can rest assured knowing their information remains private, and the entire procedure—from start to finish—is conducted with transparency and confidentiality, serving the needs of individuals and organizations alike.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Boys Town, NE, we offer competitive pricing structures and quick turnaround times, providing excellent value for businesses of all sizes. Our affordable rates do not compromise the quality or accuracy of the results offered.

The fast turnaround of test results means that companies can make timely decisions without incurring excessive costs. This balance between cost-efficiency and high-standard service is central to our offer, benefiting a diverse range of clients.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests offer swift, precise, and reliable results in Boys Town, NE. Their high accuracy in detecting substance use makes them an ideal choice for those seeking dependable testing methods. The science behind hair testing ensures that results are not only fast but also reflect true substance use patterns.

With cutting-edge technology supporting hair drug testing, results can be delivered faster than many traditional methods, empowering individuals and organizations to make informed decisions quickly. This speed does not compromise the test's reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance with workplace drug-free policies is assured with hair follicle testing in Boys Town, NE. By incorporating this testing method, employers reduce legal risks and enhance safety, ensuring that workplace regulations are adhered to.

Employers can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their drug testing processes not only align with legal standards but also contribute positively to a safe and secure work environment. This assurance leads to improved confidence among employees and stakeholders.

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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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