Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hartington, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have gained recognition as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive record of alcohol and drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the hair strand's fibers as it grows. When taken near the scalp, hair can deliver an estimated 3-month window of detection for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.

A segment of 1.5 inches from approximately 200 hair strands (around the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the optimal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or those exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to measure the specimen. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable amount of body hair may be gathered. When referencing head hair, we mean specifically scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary stages in the lab processing of a drug test outcome include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the introductory handling of a sample into a laboratory's system. This entails checking that the sample was correctly sealed and transported, assigning an arbitrary LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses an initial rapid evaluation for substances of abuse. Screening economically eliminates drug use in the majority of cases, yet a positive screen needs verification for legal acceptability. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmation.

If a specimen tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for Extraction. During Extraction, substances are withdrawn from hair at significantly reduced concentrations compared to alternative methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), marking hair drug screening as the most complex method to execute.

Validation of any positive screening result is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples testing presumptively positive undergo a washing step before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab protocol from Accessioning to Confirmation is appraised under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug assessments can reveal drug use for as long as 90 days, contrasting with urine assessments that have a briefer detection span.
• Resistance to deception: Cheating a hair drug assessment is extremely challenging, enhancing the precision of results.
• Yields historical insights: It can provide a trend of drug consumption over time, rather than just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: It requires about 5-7 days for substances to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Elements such as hair pigmentation and individual hair growth variations can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests", the evaluation itself examines the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hartington, NE

When comparing hair follicle tests to urine tests, the benefits of hair testing are clear. Hair analysis offers superior detection accuracy over extended periods, providing a holistic view of drug use. Employers and organizations find it more reliable, reducing false negatives and ensuring policy compliance with greater confidence.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hartington, NE

Hair follicle testing offers an extensive detection window, capable of identifying drug usage up to 90 days prior. This allows employers to gain a thorough understanding of an individual's substance history, far surpassing the short detection time of urine tests. It serves as a valuable tool in maintaining drug-free environments.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hartington, NE

Hair follicle tests significantly mitigate the risk of sample adulteration. This secure testing method nearly eliminates the possibility of tampering, ensuring the credibility and integrity of drug test results. Such reliability is crucial for employers who prioritize strict policy adherence.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Hartington, NE

With our extensive network of testing facilities, accessing our services is fast and convenient across the country. Local and nationwide centers ensure quick, easy access to drug testing services, providing hassle-free experiences for individuals and companies alike.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hartington, NE

Ordering a hair follicle test is a straightforward, confidential process. We value privacy and make sure that taking the test and receiving results is simple and secure. This prioritization of ease and confidentiality addresses any privacy concerns customers may have.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hartington, NE

Our competitive pricing and prompt turnaround times offer excellent value for businesses of all sizes. We ensure affordability without compromising the quality and speed of our services, providing cost-effective drug testing solutions with rapid results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hartington, NE

Hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. They boast high accuracy in detecting substance use, providing dependable results that employers and agencies can trust. This testing method ensures rapid outcomes without sacrificing reliability, offering a swift solution to substance detection needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hartington, NE

Utilizing hair follicle tests helps employers adhere to drug-free workplace policies effortlessly. It minimizes legal risks while enhancing safety by providing irrefutable evidence of drug use or abstinence, ensuring peace of mind and legal compliance in all operational facets.

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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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