Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Curtis, NE

What it is, How it works

Testing hair has become recognized as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a detailed timeline of alcohol and drug usage by retaining biomarkers within the hair strand as it grows. When harvested near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a three-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to send.

A segment measuring 1.5 inches of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the size of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields around 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler's scale for weighing the sample is encouraged. If scalp hair isn't present, a similar amount of body hair can be taken. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" pertains to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The drug testing laboratory process comprises four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first step where the sample is introduced into a lab's system. The process includes confirming that the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, giving it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entry absent in the electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of an initial analysis for substances of abuse. It serves as an efficient approach to dismiss drug use in most cases; however, a positive screen requires subsequent confirmation to be utilized legally. Samples that test positive during Screening need additional verification.

Should a sample show a positive result at the Screening phase, further hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are withdrawn from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.

Confirmation of a positive screen result is implemented through techniques like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that initially test positive are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a shorter detection period.
• Increased difficulty to compromise: Hair drug tests are challenging to alter, ensuring more reliable outcomes.
• Provides past usage patterns: It can reveal drug usage trends over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent usage: Detection of drugs in hair requires approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to cost more than other testing modalities.
• Variability in outcomes: Hair color and growth rate differences can influence the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not on the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Curtis, NE, hair follicle testing surpasses the effectiveness of standard urine tests. It provides a more accurate window into an individual's substance use history. Unlike urine tests, hair tests are not easily manipulated, thus offering employers more dependable results. This testing method is less invasive, conducting through strands of hair, making it more user-friendly for candidates and employees alike.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Curtis, NE, stands out for its extended detection timeline, capturing up to 90 days of drug usage history. Unlike other tests, hair samples reveal substance use over a prolonged period, providing a comprehensive view of an individual's habits. This extensive window aids employers by allowing them to make better judgments on an applicant's or employee’s fitness for role responsibilities.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Curtis, NE, reduces the risk of sample tampering significantly. The robust process ensures that results are reliable and beyond dispute. Sample collection is observed, and the hair test's inherent nature makes it almost impossible to alter, thus fostering greater trust in the outcomes provided, benefitting both employers and employees.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient local and nationwide testing centers, accessing hair follicle testing in Curtis, NE, becomes a hassle-free experience. The widespread availability of our centers ensures minimal inconvenience for employers and individuals seeking testing services. Our locations are strategically placed for quick and easy access, streamlining the testing process thoroughly.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Curtis, NE, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving the results, the process guarantees privacy at every step. Clients are assured of their privacy and the simplicity of the procedure, reinforcing trust and promoting ease of use.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, our hair follicle testing in Curtis, NE, delivers great value. Companies can enjoy cost-effective solutions that do not compromise on quality or speed. Such affordability paired with promptness ensures companies of all sizes can benefit from our services without straining their budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The hair follicle drug test offers quick and precise results in Curtis, NE, proving superior in accuracy for substance detection. This method's speed and reliability ensure that employers can make informed decisions promptly. The precise nature of hair testing covers a comprehensive spectrum of drug substances, providing invaluable data backed by scientifically validated methods.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Curtis, NE, can ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies by adopting hair follicle testing. This method enhances organizational safety standards by reducing the risk of legal complications. Thus, employers can maintain peace of mind knowing that they are compliant with regulations while promoting a safer workplace 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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