Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Lodgepole, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is regarded as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. The structure of hair captures biomarkers within its fibers during growth, presenting a prolonged record of substance use. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal up to a roughly three-month detection range for alcohol and drugs. This method of collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and convenient for transport.

An ideal sample for testing and verification consists of a 1.5-inch segment containing about 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) from the area closest to the scalp, equaling 100mg of hair. For tests like EtG, add-ons, or those above 10 panels, a specimen weight of 150mg is advised. Measuring the specimen's weight on a jeweler’s scale is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equivalent volume of body hair is acceptable. "Head hair" refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas "body hair" encompasses other types (such as facial or axillary hair).

Process Overview

The key steps in the lab processing of drug test results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning pertains to the initial assimilation of a sample into the lab’s framework. This step involves affirming that the sample is appropriately sealed and delivered, allocating a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing further data entries absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary quick check for illicit substances. This cost-effective method generally excludes drug use in most samples, but a positive result in Screening requires confirmation for court acceptability. Any presumptive positives from Screening necessitate further verification.

For samples showing presumptive positive results at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. This phase focuses on retrieving drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), emphasizing the challenging nature of hair drug testing methodology.

Verification of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed pre-confirmation if necessary. The lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed according to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair specification and accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug analyses can trace drug use for up to 90 days, compared to the shorter time frame of urine tests.
• Hard to deceive: The accuracy of hair drug tests is high due to the difficulty involved in cheating the tests.
• Illustrates usage history: It potentially shows a pattern of drug consumption over time instead of just recent use.

Limitations:

• Limited to detecting older use: Drugs become detectable in hair only after approximately 5-7 days.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug testing is pricier than other drug-detection methods.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Commonly known as "hair follicle tests", this procedure evaluates the hair strand itself, rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests in Lodgepole, NE, the former excels in detection accuracy and reliability. Hair testing offers an extended detection window, often revealing drug use missed by urine tests. This makes hair tests superior for a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history and ensuring a drug-free environment.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Lodgepole, NE, offers an extended detection window for substance use, often up to 90 days. This allows employers to gain a comprehensive view of an applicant's or employee’s past drug use, offering invaluable insights into their long-term substance use history. This chronic use detection capability exceeds what is possible with more traditional testing methods.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

One of the standout features of hair follicle tests in Lodgepole, NE, is their tamper-resistant nature. The collection method significantly reduces the chance of sample adulteration, ensuring that the results are reliable and unquestionable. This feature adds a layer of security and certainty in drug testing processes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient access to our nationwide testing centers and local locations in Lodgepole, NE, hair follicle drug testing becomes quick and hassle-free. This accessibility ensures that companies and individuals can efficiently undertake testing without unnecessary delays, streamlining the entire process.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Lodgepole, NE, our hair follicle testing process is both simple and confidential. With straightforward steps for ordering, taking, and receiving results, privacy concerns are aptly addressed, allowing individuals to engage easily with the process, ensuring comfort and confidentiality throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

For businesses in Lodgepole, NE, our competitive pricing and rapid turnaround times make hair follicle testing both affordable and efficient. Companies of all sizes can take advantage of excellent value while maintaining peace of mind, knowing that their investment in drug testing is both cost-effective and timely.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Lodgepole, NE, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their precision and speed. The high accuracy in identifying substance use makes them an optimal choice for quick and reliable results. This method ensures that the presence of drugs is detected with minimal error, facilitating fast and dependable insights for those who require clear substance abuse evaluations.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

In Lodgepole, NE, employing hair follicle testing enables employers to uphold compliance with drug-free workplace policies, offering a sense of peace of mind. By reducing legal risks and enhancing safety, businesses can ensure a more secure and sanctioned work environment, fostering a culture of reliability and trust.

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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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