Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cairo, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition for its effectiveness in identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and drug use by encapsulating biomarkers within the structure of the growing hair strand. When collected near the scalp, hair offers up to roughly a 3-month span for detecting alcohol and drug presence. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch hair piece with around 200 strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the optimum quantity for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair is lacking, an equivalent amount of body hair may be taken. References to head hair denote only scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair categories (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The test involves four primary steps in laboratory analysis: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial phase of integrating a specimen into the laboratory system. This includes confirming the sample was properly sealed and sent, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any supplementary data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening initiates a rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though Screening is an economical method to eliminate drug usage in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation for legal validity. Samples that presumptively test positive in Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

For samples that are presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are retrieved from hair at considerably lower concentrations than alternative techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result occurs via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection duration.
• Hard to falsify: It's notably hard to deceive a hair drug test, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Historical insights: It can indicate a pattern of drug use over time, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically costlier than other drug testing methods.
• Result variation: Factors such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Cairo, NE, hair follicle testing offers distinct advantages over traditional urine tests.
It boasts superior detection accuracy, capturing substance use history over longer periods than urine tests.
This advanced method ensures dependable outcomes, surpassing the reliability of more conventional approaches, benefiting employers seeking thorough results.

Extended Detection Window

Employers in Cairo, NE, benefit from hair follicle tests due to their extended detection window.
Detecting drug use for up to 90 days, these tests offer a comprehensive view of an individual's substance use history.
This level of analysis gives employers confidence in assessing behavioral patterns and making informed hiring or retention decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Cairo, NE provides a tamper-resistant method for reliable results.
This testing significantly minimizes the chance of sample manipulation, ensuring accuracy and trust.
Employers and other stakeholders gain peace of mind, knowing the results they receive are unaffected by adulteration and fully dependable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient testing locations are available in Cairo, NE, and Nationwide.
Whether locally or across the country, accessing these services is straightforward.
Our network of testing centers provides quick and hassle-free access, ensuring efficient testing experiences wherever you are located.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Cairo, NE is designed for simplicity and confidentiality.
From ordering to receiving results, each step respects privacy and ensures ease of use.
This seamless approach alleviates concerns about security, making drug testing straightforward and discreet for users.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering affordable pricing and fast turnaround, testing in Cairo, NE maximizes value.
Our competitive rates ensure excellent service without breaking the budget.
Coupled with quick results, companies, regardless of size, enjoy peace of mind with our cost-effective and timely testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Cairo, NE is renowned for its accuracy and speed.
Delivering precise results, this method detects substance use efficiently, providing accurate outcomes that meet the highest standards.
Trust in this method ensures reliability and prompt results, critical for both organizations and individuals who need trustworthy information quickly.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Cairo, NE, hair follicle tests enhance compliance and peace of mind for employers.
These tests uphold drug-free policies, reducing potential legal risks and fostering a safer workplace.
Employers gain assurance from using a method that aligns with regulatory standards, promoting a secure and compliant environment.

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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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