Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Comstock, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair serves as a detailed record of drug and alcohol consumption by embedding biomarkers within the growing hair fiber. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers an approximate three-month detection period for both alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively alteration-resistant, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample of nearly 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect amount for both preliminary and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, about 150mg is advised. It's recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler’s scale. When scalp hair is not available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair encompasses other types such as facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

The lab processing of drug test results involves four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage, where a sample is entered into the lab system. This step verifies the sample was properly sealed and delivered, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry that an electronic chain of custody system didn't provide.

Screening acts as an initial check for drug abuse. Though cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive result in Screening needs confirmation to be valid in a legal context. All samples initially testing positive require secondary confirmation.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive result, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are removed from hair at a much lower level than other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most complex method to execute.

Confirmation of positive Screening results is done via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results are washed as necessary before confirmation. The complete lab process from Accessioning through Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can recognize drug use for up to 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: Provides a view of drug usage patterns over time, not just recent instances.

Limitations:

• Unable to identify recent consumption: It generally takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests cost more than alternative methods.
• Outcome variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Though commonly called "hair follicle tests," the examinations actually assess the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Comstock, NE
Choosing hair follicle testing over traditional urine testing boasts numerous benefits. Unlike urine tests, hair tests offer extended detection windows and are less susceptible to tampering. This results in unmatched reliability and precision, giving employers a better, more comprehensive insight into an individual's substance use, thereby enhancing policy enforcement and workplace safety.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Comstock, NE
Hair follicle testing is remarkable for its ability to detect substance use over a much longer period, up to 90 days. This prolonged detection time grants employers a detailed perspective on an applicant or employee’s history of drug use, which is invaluable for informed decision-making. Such tests provide a clearer picture of long-term habits, greatly assisting in maintaining workplace standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Comstock, NE
The integrity of hair follicle testing is unmatched due to its tamper-resistant nature. Unlike other tests susceptible to adulteration, hair tests are exceedingly difficult to alter or cheat. This tamper-proof method ensures reliable, accurate results every time, providing peace of mind to employers seeking trustworthiness in their drug testing procedures.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Comstock, NE
Our extensive network of testing centers nationwide and locally in Comstock grants easy access to drug testing services. This widespread availability ensures prompt, hassle-free testing procedures, making it convenient for employers and individuals alike to fulfill testing requirements efficiently and without delay.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Comstock, NE
The process of ordering, conducting, and receiving results for hair follicle tests is straightforward and confidential. This approach alleviates any concerns about privacy, allowing individuals to experience a smooth, secure testing process. Our commitment to confidentiality ensures a seamless client experience from start to finish, prioritizing both ease of use and privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Comstock, NE
We pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing structures along with fast turnaround times for hair follicle testing services. This combination of affordability and speed provides exceptional value, leaving companies of all sizes assured of both cost-effectiveness and the timely receipt of accurate results, important for maintaining workplace integrity.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Comstock, NE
Hair follicle drug tests in Comstock provide exceptionally fast, precise, and reliable results. Not only do they pinpoint substance use with high accuracy, but they also deliver findings quickly, minimizing waiting times. The state-of-the-art technology used ensures each test is performed to the highest standards, guaranteeing trustworthy outcomes for all test takers and stakeholders.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Comstock, NE
Utilizing hair follicle testing for compliance with workplace drug-free policies offers unparalleled peace of mind. Employers benefit from decreased legal risks and enhanced safety by adhering to this reliable testing method. Hair tests ensure accurate adherence to policy, thus creating a secure, drug-free working environment for everyone involved.

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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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