Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lisco, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair shaft. If taken near the scalp, hair can offer nearly a 3-month detection timeframe for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment comprising roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, the ideal amount for examination and verification. For EtG, supplementary, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the sample is advisable. It is recommended to measure the sample using a jeweler's scale. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a comparable quantity of body hair may be obtained. When discussing head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The principal steps in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning involves the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory’s framework. This includes confirming that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not provided by a digital chain of custody system.

Screening involves an initial swift examination for substances of abuse. While Screening is a cost-effective approach to rule out drug usage in most cases, a positive screen must be verified to be accepted in legal settings. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a specimen appears positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a considerably lower concentration compared to other methods (ex. urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most challenging method to conduct.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is performed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation as necessary. The full laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug consumption for as long as 90 days, in contrast to urine tests which have a more limited detection period.
• Challenging to deceive: It is extremely difficult to deceive a hair drug test, leading to more reliable results.
• Reveals historical data: It can show a pattern of substance use over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent consumption: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become visible in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than other drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors such as hair color and individual variations in hair growth can influence the level of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the procedure itself examines the hair shaft and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Lisco, NE
Hair follicle testing excels over traditional urine tests by offering superior detection precision and consistency. Unlike urine tests, hair testing provides an expansive detection window and mitigates the chance of sample manipulation. The robust accuracy underscores hair testing as the more effective choice for monitoring substance use in Lisco, NE.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Lisco, NE
In Lisco, NE, hair follicle testing presents an ability to reveal drug use spanning up to 90 days. This lengthy window enables employers to gather a comprehensive review of an individual's substance history. Such thorough screening assists in ensuring workplace safety and evaluating candidate reliability, ensuring an informed hiring process.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Lisco, NE
Hair follicle tests in Lisco, NE greatly diminish the possibility of sample adulteration. The collection is typically observed, making substitution unlikely and producing indisputable results. As a stringent method, it offers peace of mind for employers and institutions needing to ascertain honesty and legitimacy in their drug screening processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Lisco, NE
The availability of widespread testing centers, including those in Lisco, NE, facilitates easy access to drug testing services. These convenient locations ensure that individuals and businesses can partake in streamlined and prompt testing, mitigating delays and simplifying the overall testing experience for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Lisco, NE
The hair follicle testing process in Lisco, NE is both straightforward and private. Clients can effortlessly order tests, undergo testing, and receive outcomes, all while maintaining the utmost discretion. This secure procedure gives confidence in managing private information and respecting the confidentiality of individuals undergoing tests.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Lisco, NE
Hair follicle tests in Lisco, NE are economically priced, offering competitive value for companies of varying sizes. With speedy turnaround times, these services ensure businesses receive results promptly, providing peace of mind and enabling swift decision making based on reliable and timely information.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Lisco, NE
Hair follicle drug tests in Lisco, NE offer rapid, precise, and dependable outcomes. Their unparalleled accuracy is instrumental in discerning substance use efficiently. Individuals and entities can rely on these tests' swift processing to yield trustworthy results, thereby streamlining decision-making processes without compromising reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Lisco, NE
Implementing hair follicle testing in Lisco, NE supports adherence to drug-free workplace policies. By mitigating legal liabilities and promoting safety, employers gain assurance that their workforce remains compliant and operational risks are minimized. This security is critical in maintaining a productive and harmonious 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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