Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Bristow, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair examination is now recognized as an effective resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended chronicle of alcohol and drug use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of the growing hair. When taken near the scalp, hair can indicate drug and alcohol use up to approximately three months prior. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat difficult to tamper with, and easy to send.

A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp will yield approximately 100mg, an optimal amount for testing and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or screenings beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is suggested. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a similar quantity of body hair can be gathered. References to head hair indicate scalp hair solely. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning pertains to the initial phase of integrating a sample into the lab’s system. It involves ensuring that the sample was adequately sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any further data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Whilst Screening is a cost-effective method to negate drug usage for most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for legal acceptability. Any samples presumptively positive in Screening demand further confirmation.

If a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. At this stage, substances are retrieved from hair at much lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine, oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is among the most challenging methodologies.

Confirmation of any tentative positive result is achieved via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positive samples are cleansed ahead of confirmation as necessary. The entire lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair configuration and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Benefits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug evaluations can identify drug intake for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection span.
• Difficult to deceive: Manipulating results in a hair drug examination is extremely challenging, enhancing result reliability.
• Offers historical insight: Provides a drug usage trend over time, as opposed to merely recent consumption.

Constraints:

• Incapable of detecting recent intake: It necessitates roughly 5-7 days for substances to manifest in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug screenings typically incur greater costs than alternative testing approaches.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair pigmentation and personal hair growth differences can influence drug metabolite concentrations in the hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", this evaluation analyzes the hair strand, not the scalp's hair follicle.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in Bristow, NE, by offering superior detection accuracy and dependability. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests provide a comprehensive view of drug use over time. This enhanced capability allows employers to make informed decisions about their workforce, reflecting a commitment to maintaining a safe and drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

With an extended detection window of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing provides a thorough examination of an individual's substance habits in Bristow, NE. This long-term view is invaluable to employers seeking insights into their employees' or candidates' substance activities, ensuring that decisions are made based on a complete understanding of histories.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Bristow, NE, the integrity of hair follicle tests is their defining trait. These tests significantly reduce the risk of sample tampering, delivering results that are both reliable and indisputable. The secure nature of the testing process ensures that tampering attempts are easily detected, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the outcome.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing locations both nationwide and locally in Bristow, NE, access to hair follicle drug testing has never been easier. Our extensive network of centers guarantees quick and stress-free testing processes, accommodating the needs of all individuals and employers seeking reliable testing services.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Bristow, NE, our hair follicle testing process emphasizes simplicity and confidentiality. Our straightforward order, test, and results retrieval procedures address privacy concerns, providing individuals and employers with a seamless experience without compromising personal or sensitive information.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and rapid turnaround times set our hair follicle drug testing services apart in Bristow, NE. We offer competitive rates that cater to businesses of all sizes, ensuring they receive substantial value. This balance of cost-efficiency and swift results empowers employers, contributing to informed decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The swift and precise results of hair follicle drug tests are a standout feature in Bristow, NE. These tests offer unmatched accuracy in detecting substance use, ensuring reliable outcomes. From collection to results, the process is streamlined for utmost efficiency, making them the go-to choice for many looking for fast and accurate drug testing solutions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing ensures compliance with workplace drug policies in Bristow, NE, affording employers peace of mind. By mitigating legal risk and enhancing safety, these comprehensive drug tests align with strict zero-tolerance practices, safeguarding the work environment against substance misuse.

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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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