Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Fontanelle, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair screening is recognized as a strong method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair gives a detailed history of substance intake by capturing biomarkers in the strands as they grow. When taken near the scalp, it can offer up to a 3-month detection period for drugs and alcohol. Hair is easy to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of around 200 strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the perfect sample size for testing and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or over 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advised. We suggest weighing the sample on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be used. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair alone. Body hair includes all other types (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key steps in the lab processing of a drug test result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing of a specimen into a lab's system. This step confirms that the sample was sealed and transported correctly, applies a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any extra data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is an initial swift assessment for drugs of misuse. While Screening is an economical way to identify drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be validated to be court-admissible. Any samples that return a presumptive positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and set up for Extraction. During this phase, substances are isolated from hair at much reduced levels compared to other methods (like urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening poses the greatest challenge.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is executed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection window: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Hard to manipulate: It is notably challenging to fake a hair drug test, rendering the results more reliable.
• Delivers historical insight: It can show a pattern of drug usage over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Fails to detect recent use: It approximately takes 5-7 days for drugs to appear in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug testing techniques.
• Result discrepancies: Factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence the drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although often termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis is performed on the hair strand, not the hair follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle tests in Fontanelle, NE, offer unmatched benefits over traditional urine tests. With superior accuracy, they uncover substance use traces undetected by urine methods.

The reliability and methodical approach of hair testing make it a sound choice over urine tests, ensuring precise results free of manipulation or adulteration.

Ultimate detection reliability makes hair tests the favored option, surpassing urine tests in Fontanelle, NE.

Extended Detection Window

Fontanelle, NE, relies on hair follicle testing for its capability to detect drug use extending to 90 days. Employers benefit from an extensive view of an applicant's or employee's substance history.

With a prolonged detection window, hair testing offers comprehensive insights, making it indispensable across various occupational sectors.

For employers aiming to understand deeper substance use behaviors, the extensive detection window of hair testing is paramount.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Fontanelle, NE, hair follicle tests are acclaimed for their tamper-resistant nature, significantly reducing sample adulteration risks and ensuring trustworthy outcomes.

The robust process of hair testing ensures authenticity and certainty in results, outmatching other methods sensitive to tampering.

This testing method sets new standards in reliability and authenticity, leaving little room for doubts in drug screening.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Fontanelle, NE, benefits from convenient nationwide hair follicle testing centers, delivering seamless access and hassle-free service entry.

The expansive location network ensures prompt and accessible testing, fulfilling varied local and broad testing requirements.

Individuals and employers enjoy effortless testing solutions, attesting to our commitment to accessibility across locations.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Fontanelle, NE, the hair follicle testing process is simple and confidential, prioritizing privacy from order to results.

This streamlined procedure enhances user comfort, addressing concerns about confidentiality efficiently in every testing phase.

Emphasizing ease of use, it offers clients a stress-free and private testing experience, reinforcing trust.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Fontanelle, NE, benefits from competitive pricing and swift hair testing results, combining value and efficiency perfectly.

Attractive pricing structures support diverse company sizes, providing economical and reliable testing solutions.

Quick turnaround times bolster confidence, tying together affordability and prompt response effectively.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Fontanelle, NE, the precision of hair follicle drug tests is unmatched, ensuring fast and reliable results. With their high accuracy, they are preferred for detecting substance use patterns accurately.

The speed of hair testing allows for quick and precise identification of drug use, giving peace of mind with dependable outcomes.

Tailored for accuracy, their results highlight substance detection effectively, making them essential for reliable drug testing in Fontanelle, NE.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Fontanelle, NE, find peace of mind with hair follicle tests, guaranteeing adherence to drug-free policies and lowering legal liabilities.

This approach augments workplace safety, minimizing risks associated with substance abuses, and fortifying thorough compliance.

With an emphasis on compliance, these tests assure employers of regulatory alignment, enhancing overall workplace security.

Drug Testing Near Fontanelle, NE

Herman, NE

Elk City, NE

Uehling, NE

Cedar Bluffs, NE

Kennard, NE

Dodge, NE

Ames, NE

Scribner, NE

Washington, NE

Inglewood, NE

Fremont, NE

Hooper, NE

Arlington, NE

Winslow, NE

Nickerson, 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