Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Campbell, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is now recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the hair strand as it grows, offering a long-term record of alcohol and other drug use. When harvested near the scalp, hair can deliver a detection window of up to around 3 months for alcohol and other drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion consisting of roughly 200 hairs (comparable to the girth of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg, the optimum quantity for screening and confirmation tests. For tests including EtG, additional substances, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. When referring to head hair, it pertains exclusively to scalp hair. Body hair signifies all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test in the lab involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary step of entering a sample into a lab’s workflow. This process includes confirming the sample's seal integrity and proper shipping, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening provides a cost-efficient approach for eliminating drug use in most samples, screens yielding positive results require validation to be valid in legal settings. Any presumptive positives found in Screening warrant an additional verification.

Should a sample screen presumptively positive, extra hair is extracted from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are removed from hair at concentrations substantially lower than those in other methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), which explains the complexity of administering hair drug screening.

Verification of any positive Screening outcomes is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples presumed positive undergo pre-confirmation washing when necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation following ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a briefer detection horizon.
• Hard to circumvent: Cheating on a hair drug test is exceptionally challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Tracks past usage: It can illustrate a drug use pattern over time, as opposed to just the recent past.

Limitations:

• Incapable of spotting recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair roughly 5-7 days post-use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than alternative methods.
• Result variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Campbell, NE, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its heightened detection accuracy. With superior reliability, this method provides dependable results, minimizing false readings and giving clear insights into substance use.

Extended Detection Window

Offering a prolonged detection window, hair follicle testing in Campbell, NE captures substance use up to 90 days back. This extensive timeframe equips employers with a detailed perspective on an individual's drug history, beyond what urine tests could offer.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The hair follicle test in Campbell, NE is inherently tamper-resistant. The method makes it challenging for sample adulterations to occur, ensuring outcomes are trustworthy and leave no room for dispute. This builds confidence in the test's results.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing locations in Campbell, NE and across the nation provide unmatched convenience. With many centers available, this ensures easy access to testing services, eliminating stress and streamlining the process for users.

Simple, Confidential Process

The procedure for hair follicle testing in Campbell, NE is both straightforward and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving results, privacy concerns are addressed and user-friendliness is prioritized, offering peace of mind.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive pricing and swift turnaround times are hallmarks of our hair follicle testing services in Campbell, NE. Providing excellent value, our service ensures quick and economical solutions for businesses of various sizes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Campbell, NE is lauded for its rapid and precise results. Highlighted for its accuracy, this method confidently detects substances, offering high reliability. The testing approach ensures swift results, meeting employers' needs for quick decision-making.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Campbell, NE, hair follicle testing contributes to a drug-free workplace, aligning with employers' compliance requirements. By minimizing legal risks and prioritizing safety, these tests foster peace of mind and support workplace security.

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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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