Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dalton, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an influential method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of the hair as it grows. When hair is taken near the scalp, it can reveal up to a three-month period of alcohol and drug presence. Hair is straightforward to gather, not easily adulterated, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches consisting of about 200 hairs (approximately as wide as a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. It’s suggested to weigh the specimen with a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. Note that 'head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' pertains to all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for evaluating a drug test result includes four principal stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of the sample into the lab's workflow. This step confirms that the sample has been properly sealed and shipped, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finishes any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening offers an expedited assessment of drug misuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient tactic for eliminating drug presence in most samples, any positive screening result must be validated to be acceptable in legal settings. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require subsequent confirmation.

In instances where a sample is presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is obtained from the initial collection for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at a concentration much lower than that in alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis one of the most complex to perform.

Positive screening results are validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with presumptive positives undergo washing as necessary. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the laboratory activities are evaluated under the scrutiny of 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 assessments can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a reduced detection range.
• Challenging to deceive: It's remarkably difficult to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Chronological data provision: It offers a record of drug consumption over time, not merely recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent consumption: Drugs require approximately 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests cost more than other testing approaches.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair pigmentation and individual differences in hair growth can alter drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although frequently termed as "hair follicle tests," the procedure actually examines the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing surpasses urine testing in several ways, particularly in detection accuracy. In Dalton, NE, it's the preferred choice for many due to its ability to uncover drug use up to 90 days prior.

Urine tests often miss traces of drugs after a couple of days, whereas hair tests provide unmatched reliability, offering a comprehensive picture of an individual's substance history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection capability of hair follicle testing is crucial in Dalton, NE. These tests can detect drug use for up to 90 days, offering a far-reaching insight into an applicant's or employee's substance habits.

Employers gain a thorough understanding of a potential or current employee's history, leading to more informed decisions that build a safer workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Dalton, NE, provides a highly tamper-resistant solution for drug testing. The structure of hair makes it difficult to adulterate, ensuring the integrity of the sample remains intact.

This testing method delivers reliable results that employers and legal entities can trust, significantly reducing the risk of incorrect or misleading outcomes due to sample tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is at the forefront with testing centers available nationwide and locally in Dalton, NE. Our network of testing locations ensures easy access for quick and hassle-free hair follicle drug tests.

This extensive network allows individuals and employers alike to benefit from the rapid and accessible testing services, tailored to meet diverse needs.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Dalton, NE, for hair follicle testing is simple and private. From ordering the test to receiving the results, everything is designed to be user-friendly.

Privacy is paramount, and the confidential nature of the testing process addresses any concerns about exposure, providing peace of mind to all parties involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing in Dalton, NE, allows businesses of all sizes to benefit from hair follicle testing. The affordability combined with fast turnaround times offers excellent value.

Employers can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with reliable testing, without incurring prohibitive expenses, allowing for smart, cost-effective decision-making.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Dalton, NE, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their fast and accurate results. Unlike traditional methods, these tests offer a higher precision level, ensuring that substance use doesn't go unnoticed.

The speed of hair testing means decisions can be made quickly, providing reliable results to both individuals and employers. It's a highly effective way to identify drug use over a longer period.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Dalton, NE, hair follicle testing offers employers peace of mind and ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. It mitigates legal challenges and enhances workplace safety by providing clear insights into employee substance use.

By adopting hair testing, employers demonstrate a commitment to a safe, compliant environment, minimizing risks and enhancing operational effectiveness.

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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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