Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hendley, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair strand, offering an extended record of alcohol and drug exposure. When acquired near the scalp, hair can yield a detection window of approximately three months for substances. It is straightforward to gather, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch snippet, comprising roughly 200 hairs (around the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is the preferred quantity for screening and validation. For EtG, enhancements, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advised. We suggest measuring the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is missing, a comparable amount of body hair may be used. When mentioning head hair, we are exclusively referring to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The process of analyzing a drug test result in the lab includes four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning begins with bringing a sample into the laboratory’s system. This step confirms the sample's seal and proper dispatch, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data recording omitted by an electronic chain of custody mechanism.

Screening includes an initial swift evaluation for substances of abuse. Even though Screening is a budget-friendly method to dismiss drug use on most samples, a verification of a positive result is required for legal acceptability. Samples deemed presumptively positive in Screening demand additional confirmation.

For samples potentially positive at the Screening stage, more hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During this phase, drug extraction from hair occurs at a much lower concentration compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most challenging approach to execute.

Any positive Screening result must undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair analyses can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, while urine tests have a narrower detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: It is quite challenging to falsify a hair drug test, enhancing its accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: This method can indicate a pattern of drug usage over a timeframe, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drugs require roughly 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Characteristics such as hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although sometimes called "hair follicle tests", the test evaluates the hair strand and not the follicle under the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

The ascendancy of hair follicle testing over urine testing is evident in Hendley, NE.

• Hair tests offer superior detection accuracy, identifying substance use over extended periods.
• They provide more reliable results due to a lower likelihood of tampering compared to urine tests.
• This method delivers employers enhanced insight into an individual's drug use history, increasing confidence in the results.

Extended Detection Window

In Hendley, NE, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant advantage.

• This testing method remembers substance use for up to 90 days.
• Employers gain a comprehensive view of an employee's drug history.
• This long-term insight is pivotal for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace environment.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Hendley, NE significantly enhances the integrity of drug testing.

• By reducing the risk of sample adulteration, it provides dependable and indisputable results.
• This method ensures the authenticity of the testing process, maintaining the validity of the findings.
• Organizations can rely on this test to uphold rigorous standards against drug use.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenience is emphasized through Nationwide and local testing centers in Hendley, NE.

• These locations offer quick, easy access to drug testing services.
• This network ensures that clients experience a hassle-free process when obtaining necessary tests.
• With numerous sites available, scheduling and attending a test is made seamless for all users.

Simple, Confidential Process

The process in Hendley, NE for hair follicle testing is simple and confidential.

• Ordering, taking, and receiving results is streamlined to ensure ease.
• Client privacy is respected and protected throughout.
• This approach alleviates concerns about confidentiality and provides a stress-free user experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Hendley, NE offers affordable pricing and swift turnaround for hair follicle testing.

• Competitive pricing structures deliver value for companies of any size.
• Quick result times provide security and peace of mind, assisting rapid decision-making.
• This ensures that businesses are not only saving time but also money.
  This makes drug testing accessible and economically feasible for all employers.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle tests in Hendley, NE are renowned for their fast and precise results.

• The high accuracy of these tests ensures substance use is detected reliably.
• With rapid turnaround times, results are delivered swiftly, meeting the needs of time-sensitive scenarios.
• The thorough detection process minimizes the risk of false negatives and positives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Hendley, NE brings compliance and peace of mind for employers.

• It supports adherence to workplace drug-free policies effectively.
• This reduces potential legal liabilities and strengthens workplace safety protocols.
• Implementing such testing demonstrates a commitment to upholding a drug-free environment.

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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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