Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Funk, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair archives a long-term record of alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands. When harvested close to the head, hair can yield a detection timeframe of up to nearly 90 days for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to send.

A hair snippet of 1.5 inches, containing about 200 strands akin to a #2 pencil, nearest to the head, is needed to obtain 100mg of hair, which is the perfect quantity for screening and verification. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or assessments exceeding 10 panels, it is advisable to have 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler’s scale for weighing. If scalp hair isn't available, a comparable quantity of body hair can be collected. 'Head hair' specifically refers to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for determining a drug test result includes four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab’s system. It involves confirming that the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and inputting any supplementary data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers a preliminary assessment for drugs of abuse. While it serves as a budget-friendly method to eliminate drug usage in most cases, a positive finding in Screening demands verification for legal acceptance. Any samples that are initially positive require further confirmation.

If a specimen shows a positive indication during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are isolated from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug analysis the most challenging to conduct.

Confirmation of positive results from screening is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All pre-positive samples undergo a wash before confirmation as needed. The whole lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under the supervision of the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and is compliant with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug examinations can trace drug use for a period of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter timeframe.
• Resistant to manipulation: It’s remarkably hard to falsify a hair drug test, increasing the accuracy of the results.
• Historical insight: Offers a pattern of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect immediate use: It generally requires 5-7 days for drugs to show in hair.
• Price: Hair drug testing usually costs more than many other drug screening techniques.
• Variability in results: Factors such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can alter the drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Even though often termed as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair fiber, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Funk, NE
In comparing hair follicle and urine testing, the former reveals superior levels of detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional methods, hair tests can track substance use over extended periods, providing invaluable insights that transcend the limitations of urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Funk, NE
Hair follicle testing's ability to detect drug consumption over a 90-day period provides employers in Funk, NE, with a substantial understanding of an individual's drug use history. This advantage fosters informed decision-making when evaluating employee or candidate integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Funk, NE
Hair follicle testing offers a robust solution against sample tampering, significantly undermining attempts at adulteration. In Funk, NE, this method ensures credible findings, reinforcing trust in the results obtained through this testing technique.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Funk, NE
Our expansive network of testing centers nationwide, including those in Funk, NE, ensures convenient access to drug testing services. Employers and individuals find our locations strategically positioned to facilitate seamless and efficient service procurement.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Funk, NE
The process for ordering, conducting, and obtaining results from hair follicle tests in Funk, NE, is designed to be straightforward and private. We prioritize customer privacy and operational simplicity to encourage stress-free testing experiences.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Funk, NE
Our services in Funk, NE, not only promise competitive pricing structures but also quick result turnarounds. Companies, regardless of size, appreciate the value and assurance provided by our cost-effective and expedient testing solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Funk, NE
Hair follicle tests offer unmatched precision and speed, reliably identifying substance use. Their accuracy surpasses other methods, making them a preferred choice in Funk, NE. Results furnish clear indications of substance usage, aiding employers and institutions in making informed decisions.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Funk, NE
Employers in Funk, NE, benefit from enhanced safety and legal compliance by adopting hair follicle testing. This reliable method aligns with drug-free workplace mandates, minimizing legal challenges and supporting secure work environments.

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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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