Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Center, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly recognized for its efficacy in detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a comprehensive history of substance use by ensnaring biomarkers in the fibers of its growing strands. When sourced near the scalp, hair affords a detection period of up to roughly three months for drugs and alcohol. It is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

An ideal sample comprising a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 hair strands (akin to a #2 pencil) close to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional components, and tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is advised. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen's weight is recommended. If scalp hair is not accessible, an equivalent amount of body hair may be obtained. References to head hair denote solely scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The core steps in laboratory processing of drug test outcomes are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails initially integrating a sample into a lab's system. This stage includes ensuring the sample's seal and dispatch were appropriately handled, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any undelivered data by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a swift preliminary assessment for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-effective method to discount drug use in most samples, a positive result requires confirmation to be court-admissible. Any samples with suspected positive results during Screening necessitate secondary confirmation.

Once a sample is suspected positive at Screening, additional hair from the initial specimen is prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), underscoring the complexity of hair drug screening.

Confirmation of any positive screen is carried out via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumed positive samples undergo pre-confirmation washing as necessary. The entire laboratory workflow, from Accessioning to Confirmation, adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use up to 90 days, in contrast to shorter spans in urine tests.
• Impossibility of tampering: Hair drug tests are highly tamper-proof, enhancing accuracy.
• Historical substance use pattern: Offers insight into drug use over extended periods, not solely the most recent.

Limitations:

• Lacks immediacy: Drugs require about 5-7 days to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricer than other drug detection techniques.
• Result fluctuation: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels.

Note: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis pertains to the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Center, NE

Compared to traditional urine tests, hair follicle testing provides a more extensive detection window and a higher level of reliability. For employers and individuals looking for a more robust solution to drug testing, hair follicle methods stand out as the premier choice.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Center, NE

One of the significant advantages of hair follicle testing is its ability to trace drug use over an extended period of up to 90 days. This capability offers employers a comprehensive view of substance history, helping make informed decisions on potential hires.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Center, NE

Hair follicle tests drastically minimize the chances of sample adulteration, providing results that are both trustworthy and irrefutable. These tests ensure that the integrity of the sample is maintained, making it a reliable testing method.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Center, NE

Our extensive network of testing facilities ensures that services are accessible nationwide, including in Center, NE. This system provides quick, easy, and stress-free access to necessary testing services whenever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Center, NE

The hair follicle testing process is straightforward, maintaining high standards of confidentiality from ordering to results delivery. Individuals can expect a user-friendly experience while privacy concerns are duly addressed.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Center, NE

Our competitively priced testing services combined with fast turnaround times present great value for businesses of varying sizes. Companies gain the benefits of efficient services without excessive costs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Center, NE

Hair follicle drug tests are known for their exceptional accuracy and rapidity in detecting substance use. Their precision offers peace of mind, as they can uncover drug usage efficiently. Those seeking a method that is both fast and reliable will find hair follicle testing a superior choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Center, NE

Hair follicle testing assists businesses in maintaining compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It diminishes legal risks and boosts the safety of the work environment, offering employers reassurance and peace of mind.

Drug Testing Near Center, NE

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Niobrara, NE

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Bazile Mills, NE

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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