Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Kronborg, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair assessments have emerged as an effective means for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures biomarkers within its fibers, creating a long-term record of drug and alcohol use. By acquiring hair close to the scalp, it can reveal a nearly three-month window of alcohol and drug detection. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easily transportable.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) taken nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is preferred. It is advisable to measure the specimen with a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equal quantity of body hair can be gathered. When mentioning head hair, it pertains solely to scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary phases in the lab handling of a drug test result consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning covers the initial input of a sample into a lab's system. This entails ensuring that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional information not included by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening handles an initial expedited evaluation for substances of misuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen demands confirmation to hold up in court. Samples denoting a presumptive positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.

When a sample shows a presumptive positive in the Screening phase, further hair is taken from the original sample and set for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are collected from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to conduct.

Confirmation of any screening positives is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection window: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests with a shorter scope.
• Difficult to manipulate: Hair tests are tough to cheat, enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reveal a drug use pattern over time, not just recent use.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs become identifiable in hair after roughly 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair tests typically cost more than other testing methods.
• Result variability: Aspects like hair color and individual hair growth differences affect drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Often called "hair follicle tests," the analysis is actually on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Surpasses Urine Testing in Kronborg, NE

• Hair tests offer longer detection windows and higher accuracy.
• They are hard to manipulate compared to traditional urine tests.

Employers benefit from the reliability and extensive detection period of hair tests over urine testing methods.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Kronborg, NE

• Capability to track drug usage up to 90 days.
• Provides a broader perspective on an individual's substance history.

This long window is crucial for employers seeking comprehensive insights into drug use patterns.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Kronborg, NE

• Hair tests minimize the possibility of sample tampering.
• Ensures trustworthy and consistent drug testing outcomes.

These tests provide security and confidence in the results through difficult-to-tamper processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations in Kronborg, NE

• Accessible testing centers across the country offer effortless service.
• Local centers provide quick access for all testing needs.

Our widespread locations ensure testing is simple and efficient for everyone.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Kronborg, NE

• Ordering, testing, and results are straightforward and private.
• Addresses security and confidentiality concerns effectively.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing the process is easy to follow and respects your privacy.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Kronborg, NE

• Competitive pricing makes testing accessible for all company sizes.
• Fast processing times offer peace of mind and value.

Get the best value with our affordable options and swift results delivery.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Testing in Kronborg, NE

• Our hair follicle tests offer rapid, precise detection of drug use.
• With high accuracy, they provide dependable results for your needs.

The quick processing and high precision of these tests stand out, making them a top choice for substance detection.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Kronborg, NE

• Assists in upholding drug-free workplace standards.
• Reduces legal and safety risks for organizations.

Hair follicle testing assists employers in meeting legal standards while promoting a safe work environment.

Drug Testing Near Kronborg, NE

Giltner, NE

Benedict, NE

Henderson, NE

Phillips, NE

Clarks, NE

Archer, NE

Bradshaw, NE

Chapman, NE

Aurora, NE

Polk, NE

Hampton, NE

Central City, NE

Hordville, NE

Overland, NE

Marquette, NE

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews