Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Dwight, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly being recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair strand, hair offers a long-term history of alcohol and drug use. When taken from near the scalp, hair can offer a detection window of up to 3 months for alcohol and other substances. It's straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, comprising roughly 200 strands of hair (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning entails the initial handling of a sample into the laboratory's system. This process ensures that the sample was appropriately sealed and shipped, grants a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizes any required data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening refers to an initial rapid examination for substances of abuse. While it is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation to be valid in legal settings. Samples presumed positive during Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

If a sample is considered positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the initial specimen and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn out from hair at much lower concentrations than in other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening presents notable challenges.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumed positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is assessed under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a narrower detection span.
• Hard to falsify: It is extremely challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more reliable results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a trend in drug usage over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Unavailable for immediate detection: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually incur higher costs than other drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While often termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Beats Urine Testing in Dwight

• Extended detection duration, catching drug use up to ninety days
• Less chance for manipulation compared to urine samples

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window of Hair Testing

• Detects drugs up to 90 days back
• Gives a broad view of one's substance history

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Benefit

• Reduces chances of sample adulteration
• Provides reliable and unquestionable outcomes

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Centers

• Quick and hassle-free access
• Local availability in Dwight

Simple, Confidential Process

A Simple, Confidential Process

• Easy order, test, and receive process
• Privacy assurance in Dwight, NE

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround

• Competitive pricing models
• Quick delivery of outcomes

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing make it a top choice in Dwight, NE. Exceptional accuracy in substance detection puts it ahead, ensuring reliable results. Its quick turnaround is a critical advantage, providing assessments promptly and efficiently.
Why Hair Testing Excels

• High precision in outcome
• Swift delivery of results

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

• Ensures adherence to drug-free workplace policies
• Minimizes legal risks while enhancing safety

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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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