Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Malcolm, NE

What it is, How it works

Recognized as a robust mechanism, hair testing is utilized for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a prolonged repository for drugs and alcohol by embedding biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When gathered near the scalp, hair can offer an approximately three-month detection range for drugs and alcohol. Hair is straightforward to collect, harder to tamper with, and uncomplicated to transport.

Collecting a 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (equivalent to the thickness of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is ideal for both screening and confirmation processes. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, it's advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We advocate weighing the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent portion of body hair can be gathered. By head hair, we specifically imply scalp hair. Body hair encompasses all other kinds of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Summary

The laboratory processing of a drug test result is comprised of four critical steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary processing stage where a sample is integrated into the laboratory's system. This incorporates checking that the sample was securely sealed and dispatched correctly, allotting a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not facilitated by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening serves as a preliminary rapid check for drug presence. Although Screening offers a cost-efficient method for excluding drug usage in most samples, a positive screen requires confirmation for court admissibility. Samples that are tentatively positive during Screening mandate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample suggests positivity during the Screening, additional hair is extracted from the primary specimen and readied for Extraction. At this juncture, drugs are drawn from hair at a notably lower concentration level than in other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which accounts for why hair drug screening is considered the most challenging methodology.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Every presumptive positive sample undergoes washing prior to confirmation if necessary. The entire laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes review under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and adheres to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Lengthy detection duration: Hair drug tests can unveil drug usage extending up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests, which have shorter detection periods.
• Cheating difficulty: Circumventing a hair drug test is notably challenging, thereby enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insight: It can reveal a drug usage pattern over an extended period, not just recent instances.

Drawbacks:

• Inability to detect recent usage: It requires approximately 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs than other drug testing techniques.
• Result inconsistencies: Variables such as hair color and individual hair growth variances can influence drug metabolite concentrations within the hair.

Caution: Commonly termed as "hair follicle tests," the analysis primarily scrutinizes the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Malcolm, NE Hair testing offers unique advantages over traditional urine tests, particularly in its detection accuracy and reliability. The ability to assess drug use over time provides a clear picture of substance habits. Moreover, hair testing is more tamper-proof than urine testing, establishing it as the preferred choice.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Malcolm, NE Hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use history for up to 90 days. This timeframe offers employers a broader perspective on an individual's substance use. Such an extensive detection period is unmatched by other testing options, enabling thorough background checks for safer workforce management.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Malcolm, NE Securing reliable results from drug testing is critical for employers. Hair follicle testing minimizes the risk of tampering, offering an incorruptible alternative to urine tests. This robustness ensures that the results are trustworthy and maintain the testing's integrity.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Malcolm, NE Our testing centers are strategically located nationwide, ensuring everyone in Malcolm, NE has easy access to our services. This wide reach means quick, straightforward, and stress-free testing experiences for all who require them.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Malcolm, NE The process of hair follicle testing is straightforward and confidential. From ordering the test to receiving results, privacy is paramount. Employers and individuals can comfortably rely on our services, knowing that discreet testing is always our priority.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Malcolm, NE Hair follicle testing is both competitively priced and swiftly administered. Our services offer excellent value by providing fast results without straining budgets, ideal for businesses of all sizes looking to implement or maintain drug-testing policies.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Malcolm, NE Discover the efficiency of hair follicle testing for detecting substance use. With rapid processing times and precise results, our testing is unrivaled. Employers in Malcolm, NE can trust our methods to ensure accurate detection of drugs or alcohol, making informed decisions with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Malcolm, NE By choosing hair follicle testing, employers can adhere to drug-free workplace policies, reduce legal risks, and bolster overall safety. This testing method reassures employers of compliance, contributing positively to workplace culture and security.

Drug Testing Near Malcolm, NE

Seward, NE

Milford, NE

Lincoln, NE

Ruby, NE

Bee, NE

Valparaiso, NE

Denton, NE

Davey, NE

Yankee Hill, NE

Clinton, NE

Pleasant Dale, NE

West Lincoln, NE

Agnew, NE

Garland, NE

Raymond, 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