Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Newcastle, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is widely regarded as a potent method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extensive history of alcohol and other substances by ensnaring biomarkers within the fibers of the maturing hair shaft. When procured near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a three-month detection timeframe for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively tamper-resistant, and easy to transport.

Obtaining a 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, 150mg of the sample is advisable. We advocate for weighing the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, an equivalent amount of body hair may be gathered. When discussing head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair pertains to all other hair varieties (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The procedure in the laboratory for processing a drug test involves four key steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the primary processing of a sample into a lab’s framework. This process involves confirming that the sample was properly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplementary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. Though Screening is a cost-effective method to dismiss drug consumption in most samples, a positive screen must be verified to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples that test presumptively positive in Screening do necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

If a sample shows presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and prepared for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are withdrawn from hair at substantially lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging method to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is subjected to review under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have a briefer detection period.
• Challenging to manipulate: It is exceedingly hard to manipulate a hair drug test, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Offers historical insights: It can reflect a consistent pattern of drug consumption over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs typically take 5-7 days to become traceable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests tend to be costlier than alternative drug testing techniques.
• Inconsistencies in outcomes: Elements like hair color and individual disparities in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: While commonly described as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself assesses the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Newcastle, NE

Hair follicle testing has emerged as the preferred choice over urine testing in Newcastle, NE. Its superior detection capabilities provide more comprehensive insights into drug use, stretching back up to 90 days. Unlike traditional urine tests, the accuracy and reliability of hair testing offer unparalleled advantages, making it the favored option for reliable substance use evaluation.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Newcastle, NE

Hair follicle testing in Newcastle, NE, offers a significant advantage with its extended detection window. The ability to trace drug use up to 90 days delivers a detailed overview of an individual's substance use history. This comprehensive window proves invaluable for employers seeking to understand the long-term habits of applicants or employees, ensuring informed decisions are made.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Newcastle, NE

The hair follicle testing method in Newcastle, NE is inherently resistant to tampering. Its design minimizes the risk of sample alteration, providing results that are both reliable and incontrovertible. This ensures that organizations can trust the process to yield accurate data, reducing concerns about falsified outcomes and reinforcing the integrity of the testing process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Newcastle, NE

With testing centers spread nationwide, including Newcastle, NE, our services promise convenience and ease of access. This widespread network facilitates quick and hassle-free service, ensuring that testing requirements are met efficiently, whether locally or across the country, providing seamless support wherever needed.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Newcastle, NE

In Newcastle, NE, the hair follicle testing process is designed to be simple and confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving test results is streamlined to address privacy concerns. The user-friendly approach ensures that individuals experience minimal difficulty, fostering trust and maintaining discretion throughout the entire process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Newcastle, NE

Offering competitive pricing and swift results, our hair follicle testing services in Newcastle, NE provide exceptional value. Quick turnaround times and cost-effective solutions ensure that all organizations, regardless of size, benefit from the affordability and efficiency of our comprehensive testing services.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Newcastle, NE

In Newcastle, NE, hair follicle drug testing stands out for its promptness and dependability. The process ensures rapid identification of substances with high precision. Utilizing advanced techniques, it offers unprecedented accuracy in confirming drug use. The reliability of the results enhances the testing experience, affirming trustworthiness in every test conducted.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Newcastle, NE

Employers in Newcastle, NE benefit from hair follicle testing's capacity to ensure adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This testing method diminishes legal liabilities while simultaneously promoting a safer work environment. It offers peace of mind by reducing risk and safeguarding both employer and employee welfare through reliable substance use detection.

Drug Testing Near Newcastle, NE

Hubbard, NE

Saint Helena, NE

Jackson, NE

Hartington, NE

Bow Valley, NE

Coleridge, NE

Laurel, NE

Allen, NE

Wynot, NE

Waterbury, NE

Dixon, NE

Ponca, NE

Martinsburg, NE

Obert, NE

Maskell, 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.

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