Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Garland, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a robust approach to identify substance use. It captures a prolonged history of alcohol and drug intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered close to the scalp, hair can extend up to a three-month timeframe for detecting alcohol and drugs. Hair is easy to retrieve, somewhat hard to tamper with, and straightforward to transport.

A 1.5-inch portion of approximately 200 strands of hair (comparable to the diameter of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests involving EtG, extras, and/or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. It's best to use a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample. If scalp hair isn't accessible, an equal measure of body hair may be taken. “Head hair” specifically pertains to scalp hair, while “body hair” encompasses all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The main stages in lab processing for a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the starting point, introducing a sample into a lab's system. This process involves confirming that the sample was adequately sealed and delivered, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data input not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as an initial rapid assessment for drugs of misuse. Although Screening economically helps eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive outcome needs confirmation for court validity. Any samples indicating a positive result in Screening must undergo secondary confirmation.

Samples showing a presumptive positive at the Screening phase have more hair extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction process. This phase sees drugs isolated from hair at significantly lower levels than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most complex techniques to execute.

Confirmation of a positive screening outcome employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives undergo washing before necessary confirmation. Every lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug consumption up to 90 days, longer than urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: Depicts a timeline of drug use across an extended period, not just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Recent usage undetectable: Drugs take roughly 5-7 days to appear in hair.
• Economic consideration: Hair drug tests tend to be pricier than alternative methods.
• Outcome diversities: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth differences can influence the presence of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: While commonly called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Garland, NE, hair follicle tests outperform traditional urine tests by offering superior accuracy and reliability. The extended detection window presents a comprehensive overview of an individual's substance history.

The advanced technology in hair testing excels in situations where urine tests fall short, providing clarity and assurance in results, making them a preferred choice for employers and professionals.

Extended Detection Window

Garland, NE employers benefit from hair follicle testing with its extended detection period of up to 90 days. This provides a comprehensive view of an applicant or employee's drug history compared to more limited urine tests.

This long-term detection capability is invaluable, allowing employers to make informed decisions based on a clear understanding of an individual's substance use over time.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Garland, NE, the hair follicle testing method significantly minimizes the risk of sample tampering. Unlike urine tests, hair samples are less susceptible to adulteration, ensuring trustworthy results.

Employers can rely on this robust method to eliminate doubts about the credibility of drug test outcomes, enhancing trust in the testing process and its findings.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Garland, NE enjoys the convenience of widespread nationwide testing centers, making hair follicle testing accessible and hassle-free. Our local presence ensures that residents can readily use our services without any geographical hindrance.

With strategically placed locations, clients can access efficient and quick testing services, eliminating common frustrations associated with drug testing appointments.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Garland, NE, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private, addressing concerns about simplicity and confidentiality. Ordering, testing, and receiving results are seamless components of our streamlined service.

Clients can trust our testing procedures to preserve privacy while maintaining ease of use, providing comfort in knowing their personal information remains protected.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Garland, NE companies benefit from hair follicle testing's competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, offering great value without sacrificing quality. Offering flexible pricing models ensures our services cater to businesses of any size.

Affordable rates and rapid results enhance business operations, allowing employers to focus resources on other priorities while ensuring workplace safety.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Garland, NE, hair follicle testing provides fast and precise outcomes, ensuring accurate detection of substance use. The advanced technology implemented in these tests swiftly determines the presence of drugs, giving reliable results much faster than conventional methods.

Employers and individuals in Garland can depend on hair follicle tests for reliable data, highlighting their efficacy in providing quick answers for necessary decisions concerning substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Garland, NE find assurance with hair follicle tests, which aid in maintaining compliance with workplace drug-free policies. This testing method reduces legal risks significantly.

The implementation of such reliable testing not only ensures adherence to regulations but also fosters a safer, more productive workplace environment, essential for long-term business success.

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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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