Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Elkhorn, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective technique for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of alcohol and narcotics by embedding biomarkers into the fibers of the developing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer almost a 3-month detection window for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and is convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising roughly 200 hair strands (about the girth of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the perfect sample for assessments and verifications. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We recommend using a jeweler's scale to weigh the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable amount of body hair might be obtained. When discussing head hair, it refers strictly to scalp hair. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The four core stages in the laboratory processing of a drug test result encompass Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning comprises the introductory processing of a sample into the lab's system. This entails confirming that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry not provided by an electronic custody tracking system.

Screening entails an initial rapid review for narcotics. Although Screening is a cost-efficient way to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be verified for court acceptability. Samples presumptively positive in Screening require an additional confirmation.

When a sample tests presumptively positive during the Screening phase, more hair is extracted from the original specimen and prepared for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are removed from hair at a much lesser concentration compared to other methods (for instance, urine or oral fluid), explaining why hair drug analysis is the most challenging method.

Verification of any positive screening finding is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleansed prior to verification as required. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 criteria.

Perks of hair drug analysis:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair drug analyses can recognize drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine exams which have a shorter detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is exceedingly challenging to deceive a hair drug examination, enhancing the reliability of the results.
• Offers historical insight: It provides a usage pattern over time, not merely recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to recognize recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become noticeable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analysis tends to cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variations: Elements such as hair shade and individual hair growth differences can impact the concentration of drug residues in the hair.

Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself scrutinizes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Triumphs Over Urine Testing in Elkhorn, NE

Hair follicle testing stands out for its enhanced accuracy and reliability over traditional urine tests. Its ability to detect substance use with increased precision establishes it as a superior choice for various contexts, providing more trustworthy results.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Elkhorn, NE

The power of hair follicle testing lies in its ability to uncover drug usage over a considerable time span—up to 90 days. This comprehensive insight aids employers in assessing an individual's substance use history thoroughly, offering valuable information for decision-making processes.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Secure Testing Against Tampering in Elkhorn, NE

Hair follicle testing dramatically reduces the opportunity for sample tampering, delivering reliable and indisputable results. This trustworthy method upholds integrity by ensuring specimens reflect accurate substance use data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Accessible Testing Nationwide and Locally in Elkhorn, NE

With testing centers located across the country and locally in Elkhorn, accessing drug testing services is both simple and convenient. This widespread network supports hassle-free testing, ensuring quick and efficient service for all clientele.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined and Private Testing Process in Elkhorn, NE

The hair follicle testing process is designed to be easy and confidential, addressing privacy and convenience concerns head-on. This user-friendly approach ensures clients can navigate the testing procedure with ease from order to result receipt.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Cost-Effective Pricing and Quick Results in Elkhorn, NE

Our competitive pricing alongside fast turnaround times offers excellent value and peace of mind, catering to businesses of all sizes. Clients benefit from professional and timely service without compromising budgetary constraints.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Reliable Outcomes in Elkhorn, NE

Experience the precision and rapidity of hair follicle drug tests, which provide accurate substance use detection. This modern testing method helps ensure quick, dependable outcomes, aiding individuals and organizations in gaining clarity regarding substance use histories.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Ensuring Compliance and Employer Reassurance in Elkhorn, NE

Employers can bolster compliance with drug-free workplace policies using hair follicle testing. This approach lowers potential legal challenges and elevates workplace safety, offering peace of mind and security for businesses and their employees alike.

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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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