Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Cushing, NE

What it is, How it works

Viewing hair testing as an effective means to identify drug and alcohol consumption is becoming prevalent. Hair serves as a detailed chronicle of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand during its growth. When obtained from near the scalp, hair offers nearly a 3-month timeframe for alcohol and drug detection. Collection is straightforward, tampering proves somewhat challenging, and shipping is uncomplicated.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, optimal for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, extra tests, and/or tests with more than 10 panels, a 150mg specimen is suggested. It's advisable to weigh the specimen using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is inaccessible, a comparable amount of body hair may be obtained. Mentioning head hair pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory processing of a drug test result consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the primary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s system. This step verifies the sample’s seal and proper shipment, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening efficiently excludes drug use in most samples, a positive screen necessitates confirmation for courtroom validity. Samples that present a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

A presumptive positive outcome in the Screening stage leads to extracting additional hair from the specimen for Extraction. Within this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

Positive screening results undergo Confirmation via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if needed. The entire procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standard accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extensive detection period: Hair drug tests can uncover drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which possess a shorter detection span.
• Tough to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more precise outcomes.
• Offers historical insight: It can outline a pattern of drug use over a significant duration, not just current use.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent use: Detecting drugs in hair takes around 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally cost more than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth differences can affect drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cushing, NE

Hair testing is superior to traditional urine testing due to its enhanced detection capabilities and reliability. This method outperforms urine tests, providing an extended window of detection and removing opportunities for manipulation. With hair testing, results are more accurate, offering a trustworthy solution for employers enforcing substance policies.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Cushing, NE

The foremost advantage of hair follicle testing is its capacity to reveal drug consumption over an extended period, reaching up to 90 days. This greater timeframe enables employers to gain detailed insights into an individual's drug history, aiding in sound decision-making in hires and continued assessments when it comes to workplace standards.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Cushing, NE

Hair follicle tests stand out because of their resistance to sample tampering, providing credible and dependable outcomes. By virtually eliminating adulteration possibilities, these tests provide peace of mind with results that are difficult to contest, which can be especially critical in legal situations or stringent employment environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Cushing, NE

With testing centers conveniently available across the nation, including locally in Cushing, NE, access to testing services remains straightforward and efficient. This widespread availability ensures that individuals and employers can quickly partake in testing without unnecessary hassles or delays.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Cushing, NE

Our process for conducting hair follicle testing is designed to be both simple and discreet. From ordering to receiving results, the entire procedure maintains confidentiality, alleviating privacy concerns and ensuring that all participants find the experience straightforward and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Cushing, NE

Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times make us the preferable choice for businesses seeking cost-effective yet high-quality drug testing solutions. The combination of prompt service and reasonable costs assures that companies can acquire reliable data within budget constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Cushing, NE

Hair follicle drug tests are known for delivering precise and rapid results, distinguishing them as the most dependable option for substance detection. This high level of accuracy ensures that any substance use within the appropriate timeframe is identified without delay, making this testing method highly effective for both employers and individuals concerned about drug use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Cushing, NE

Implementing hair follicle drug testing ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies, decreasing potential legal complications and boosting safety standards. Employers benefit from the reassurance that their workforce remains compliant, which can enhance overall productivity and company reputation.

Drug Testing Near Cushing, NE

Fullerton, NE

Scotia, NE

Greeley, NE

Greeley Center, NE

Dannebrog, NE

St. Libory, NE

Archer, NE

Saint Libory, NE

Farwell, NE

Cotesfield, NE

Elba, NE

Palmer, NE

St. Paul, NE

Saint Paul, NE

Wolbach, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews