Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Hubbard, NE

What it is, How it works

The utilization of hair testing has emerged as a potent method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair is capable of providing a detection window extending up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. Hair is easy to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and straightforward to send.

A hair sample approximately 1.5 inches long, composed of about 200 strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) from the scalp, yields around 100mg, the optimal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For tests such as EtG, additional panels, or those exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. We advise verifying the sample weight using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent amount of body hair is acceptable. When mentioning head hair, we specifically refer to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all alternative types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedure for processing a drug test result encompasses four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the sample's initial integration into a laboratory system. This phase includes ensuring that the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any residual data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is an initial rapid evaluation for controlled substances. While Screening serves as an economical means of excluding drug use in most cases, a positive result must be verified to be usable legally. Samples that preliminarily test positive during Screening do require secondary verification.

For samples that test presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary sample for further preparation in the Extraction phase. During this process, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than in other testing forms (ex. urine or oral fluid), rendering hair drug screening the most sophisticated testing modernity.

Positively screened results undergo Confirmation using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methodologies. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation as needed. The entire laboratory framework from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adherence to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection range: Hair drug assessments can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a more limited period.
• Resistance to manipulation: Cheating on a hair drug test is extremely challenging, thus producing highly reliable results.
• Provides usage history: It reveals patterns of drug use over an extended period, not merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent consumption: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expenses: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other methods.
• Result variations: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth variances can impact the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests," the analysis focuses on the hair strand and not on the hair follicle located beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Hubbard, NE lies in its superior detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair follicle tests deliver exceptionally accurate results and reliability.
With a much longer window for identifying drug use, hair tests provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's drug history, making it a more effective tool compared to traditional urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Hubbard, NE is a key advantage of hair follicle testing. With the ability to detect drug use for up to 90 days, these tests give employers a deeper insight into an individual's substance use pattern.
Such an extensive detection window allows for better-informed hiring decisions by offering a complete view of a candidate or employee's drug history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Hubbard, NE is a hallmark of hair follicle testing. These tests minimize the chances of sample adulteration, providing results that maintain their integrity.
Employers and authorities can rely on hair tests as they are nearly impossible to manipulate, ensuring that the results are both reliable and certain.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and local options in Hubbard, NE offer unmatched accessibility. Our widespread network allows individuals and companies to access testing quickly and effortlessly.
Whether in a bustling city or a quieter locale, our centers ensure a smooth and convenient testing experience, prioritizing ease of access for all.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Hubbard, NE guarantees privacy and straightforwardness. From order to result, our testing process is crafted to be user-friendly and discreet, addressing privacy concerns.
This seamless approach reassures individuals and organizations alike, providing confidence and security at each step of the testing journey.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Hubbard, NE make our testing services accessible to businesses of all sizes. We ensure competitive pricing without compromising speedy and precise results.
Organizations can benefit from our value-driven services which promise peace of mind and high-quality testing at cost-effective rates.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Hubbard, NE ensure substance detection with unparalleled precision. Hair follicle drug tests are designed to quickly assess drug use with high accuracy. Their ability to deliver results swiftly without compromising reliability makes them an invaluable tool in substance detection.
When accuracy is paramount, hair tests stand out, offering precise results that are trusted by employers and institutions alike.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Hubbard, NE is achieved through using hair follicle tests. These tests support adherence to workplace drug policies while reducing legal risks.
Employers enjoy enhanced safety and a more secure work environment by leveraging hair testing as part of their comprehensive drug-free policies.

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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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