Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Eagle, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a long-term record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to three months for alcohol and other substances. It is straightforward to collect, challenging to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for analysis and confirmation. For EtG, additional screenings, or tests beyond 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is advised. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. In the absence of scalp hair, a comparable quantity of body hair can be utilized. When referencing head hair, we mean only scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

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

Accessioning is the initial step of integrating a sample into a laboratory’s system. This step ensures the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial assessment for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use for the majority of samples, a positive outcome requires confirmation for judicial purposes. Samples that appear positive in Screening necessitate a secondary verification.

If a sample is initially positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction stage. Drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex methodologies.

Verification of any positive Screening result is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before verification as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which detect drugs over a shorter time frame.
• Hard to manipulate: Altering a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing the precision of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It reveals a pattern of drug use over a duration, beyond just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Approximately 5-7 days are required for drugs to be traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative drug testing approaches.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the testing evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing urine tests to hair follicle testing in Eagle, NE, hair testing shines in its robust detection and notable reliability. Hair tests offer a longer diagnostic window and heightened accuracy over traditional urine tests, meeting stringent requirements of drug-free policies while ensuring utmost safety and compliance in various settings.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle test’s extensive detection range, up to 90 days, offers Eagle, NE employers a thorough overview of an individual's drug history. This method provides an exhaustive long-term view of substance use, equipping employers with valuable insights into potential employees' or current workforce behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Eagle, NE, the hair follicle test is a tamper-resistant method, significantly reducing the likelihood of specimen adulteration. This testing process ensures that the results are credible and undisputed, offering peace of mind for employers about the integrity of the testing process and outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With testing centers spread nationwide, including those serving Eagle, NE, accessing hair follicle testing is remarkably convenient. This widespread network ensures that testing is straightforward, quick, and stress-free, making drug testing services easily reachable for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Eagle, NE is straightforward and private, ensuring that users' confidentiality concerns are addressed. From ordering to sample collection and receiving results, the entire process is designed to be discreet and uncomplicated.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Eagle, NE, our hair follicle testing provides competitive pricing and fast turnaround times. This ensures that businesses of all sizes receive outstanding value, allowing for efficient and cost-effective drug testing solutions that deliver peace of mind.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Eagle, NE, hair follicle drug tests stand out due to their speed and precision in detecting substance use. These tests are celebrated for their high level of accuracy, allowing for dependable results that businesses and individuals can trust. A swift process ensures that the detection timeline is as brief as possible while maintaining reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Hair follicle testing in Eagle, NE supports compliance with drug-free workplace policies, allowing employers to minimize legal risks and foster a safer work environment. Reliable drug testing helps maintain adherence to regulations and boosts overall operational integrity and workforce wellness.

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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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