Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Linwood, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has increasingly become recognized as an effective method for identifying the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Hair offers an extensive history of substance use by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is cut near the scalp, it can reveal a drug and alcohol use pattern for roughly 90 days. Its collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A standard sample consists of a 1.5-inch section with around 200 hairs (comparable in thickness to a #2 pencil) from the scalp to yield 100mg, which is optimal for both screening and verification. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be missing, an equivalent amount of body hair can be taken. "Head hair” denotes scalp hair, while “body hair” includes all other hair types (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

There are four essential stages in the laboratory processing for drug testing: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning starts with integrating a sample into the laboratory's system, which involves checking if the sample was correctly sealed and shipped, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening contains an initial rapid evaluation for drug presence. Though Screening is an affordable method to exclude drug intake in most samples, results that show positive require further confirmation for legal acceptability. All samples suspected to be positive through Screening demand an additional confirmation stage.

If a sample shows a potential positive result during Screening, more strands are extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening one of the most challenging processes to execute.

Any positive results during screening are verified via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples that are potentially positive undergo necessary washing before confirmation. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection range: Hair drug tests can identify drug use for as long as 90 days, whereas urine tests have a shorter range.
• Difficult to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is quite challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Shows usage patterns: It can offer a view of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: It takes around 5-7 days for substances to show up in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug testing generally incurs higher costs than other methods.
• Result variability: Elements such as hair color and personal hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly called "hair follicle tests", the assessment examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Linwood, NE
Hair follicle testing proves superior due to its enhanced detection accuracy and reliability. Unlike traditional urine tests, it offers a deeper insight into an individual's substance usage over an extended period. Its effectiveness in revealing long-term patterns sets it apart as a more comprehensive solution for rigorous drug screening processes.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Linwood, NE
Hair follicle testing provides a longer detection window, spanning up to 90 days. This gives employers detailed information about an individual's substance use history. Unlike traditional tests, hair analysis uncovers past drug use over months, offering a wider detection timeframe that guides informed hiring and employment decisions.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Linwood, NE
Hair follicle tests are designed to be highly tamper-resistant, minimizing the risk of adulteration. By securely capturing and analyzing hair samples, these tests deliver incontestable results. This robust defense against manipulation ensures the integrity and credibility of the testing process, fostering trust in the outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Linwood, NE
Our widespread network of testing facilities simplifies the process of scheduling and undergoing tests. With centers available in Linwood, NE, and across the country, we ensure seamless accessibility to our services. This ease of access guarantees a convenient, hassle-free testing experience for all stakeholders.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Linwood, NE
Our hair testing approach prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality. From ordering a test to collecting results, the process ensures privacy and ease, combating any concerns about confidentiality. Clients receive their results securely, giving them peace of mind and confidence in the integrity of the procedures involved.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Linwood, NE
We offer competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times, making our services accessible for businesses of all sizes. Our efficient processing ensures quick delivery of results without compromising quality. This provides excellent value, helping companies maintain their budget while keeping their workplace safe and compliant.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Linwood, NE
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their quick and precise results. Their unparalleled accuracy in identifying substance use makes them highly dependable, leaving no room for doubt or error. The swift turnaround time ensures prompt action, making them the go-to choice for fast and reliable drug testing needs.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Linwood, NE
Employing hair follicle tests aligns businesses with drug-free workplace policies, fostering compliance. This proactive measure not only mitigates legal risks but also enhances safety, offering employers peace of mind. It stands as a reliable method to uphold standards while promoting a secure and productive work 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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