Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Inland, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has become recognized as an effective method for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can trace alcohol and drug use by embedding biomarkers within the strands of hair as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair can detect substances for a duration of up to roughly 3 months for both alcohol and other drugs. The collection process is straightforward, tampering is relatively difficult, and it can be conveniently shipped.

A sample size of 1.5 inches, containing about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp, results in 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For tests involving EtG, additional components, and/or broader panel tests beyond 10, it is advised to collect 150mg of hair. It is suggested to measure the hair sample using a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair is missing, a comparable amount of body hair may be substituted. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair incorporates all other types (facial, underarm, etc.).

Process Overview

The processing of a drug test result in the laboratory involves four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial handling stage, incorporating the sample into the lab's system. This step ensures the sample's seal and shipment are intact, assigns it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any pending data entries not completed by an electronic custody system.

Screening is an expedited evaluation for common drug usage. Although it's an economical way to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result during Screening requires a confirmatory test for legal validity. Any samples that suggest positivity in Screening necessitate a follow-up verification.

Upon a presumptive positive result during Screening, more hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for the Extraction phase. Here, drugs are extracted from hair strands at considerably lower levels than in other methods such as urine or saliva tests, hence hair drug screening remains a challenging process.

Confirmation of positive results is finalized through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Prior to confirmation, all samples with a presumptive positive result undergo necessary washing. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the laboratory protocol is assessed according to CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and aligns with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection duration: Hair drug tests can reveal drug usage up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which cover a shorter timeframe.
• Harder to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, leading to higher accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can map a drug usage trend over time, not solely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of discerning recent use: Drugs become detectable in hair within approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than alternate testing options.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates may impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the examination actually assesses the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Inland, NE: Unlike urine tests, hair follicle testing offers elevated detection accuracy and dependability. This method benefits from a longer detection window and is less susceptible to tampering, providing a more accurate snapshot of substance use, particularly beneficial for organizations needing comprehensive evaluations.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Inland, NE, offers an extended detection window of up to 90 days, surpassing traditional methods. This longer period enables employers to gain insight into an applicant's or employee's substance use over a significant timeline, supporting better-informed staffing decisions and fostering safer workplaces.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle drug testing in Inland, NE, significantly minimizes risks of sample adulteration. This method's reliability ensures unquestionable outcomes, enabling employers and officials to trust the integrity of the testing process completely.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient nationwide and local testing locations in Inland, NE, our drug testing services are easily accessible. This broad network ensures quick, hassle-free testing experiences, catering to the needs of individuals and businesses effectively.

Simple, Confidential Process

Our process in Inland, NE, for hair follicle drug testing is simple and confidential. From ordering the test to obtaining results, every step is designed to protect privacy while ensuring ease of use, addressing any concerns regarding confidentiality seamlessly.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Inland, NE, boasts affordable pricing and rapid turnaround for hair follicle drug tests. Our pricing structures offer excellent value, and quick results provide businesses of all sizes the assurance they need, contributing to a secure and productive work environment.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Inland, NE, hair follicle drug testing delivers fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests is unparalleled, making them an ideal choice for situations where timely and correct detection of substance use is necessary. The proficiency of hair testing ensures that the information gathered reflects an accurate history, fostering confidence in the results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Inland, NE, benefit from peace of mind and compliance with workplace policies through hair follicle drug testing. This method supports a drug-free environment, mitigates legal risks, and fosters a safer workplace, aligning with regulatory requirements and safety protocols.

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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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