Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Orchard, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as a significant method for tracking drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of substance use by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. Collecting hair near the scalp can offer a detection timeframe of up to around 90 days for substances. The collection of hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and easily transportable.

A sample of 1.5 inches containing approximately 200 hair strands (about the width of a #2 pencil) close to the scalp will yield 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for measuring the sample is recommended. Should scalp hair be unavailable, a similar amount of body hair is an alternative. The term head hair strictly refers to scalp hair, whereas body hair includes other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

Four primary steps are involved in the laboratory procedure of generating a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

During Accessioning, the sample undergoes initial processing into the laboratory system. This step involves checking that the sample was correctly sealed and dispatched, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any extra data entry absent from a digital chain of custody system.

Screening encompasses a preliminary examination for drugs of abuse. Although Screening serves as an economical approach to dismiss possible drug use in most samples, any positive outcomes require validation to be court-admissible. Samples with assumed positive results in Screening need further confirmation.

With a presumptive positive in the Screening stage, the process retrieves more hair from the initial batch for Extraction. At this stage, drugs are extracted from hair at considerably lower concentrations compared to other approaches (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing a challenging procedure.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques conduct the Confirmation for any positive screenings. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The Laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes evaluation under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Sustained detection period: Hair drug tests can identify drug use up to 90 days prior, unlike urine tests with a shorter detection span.
• Hard to manipulate: Cheating on a hair drug test proves very challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage tracking: Provides a timeline of drug consumption, reflecting more than just recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to identify recent use: Drugs may take 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests often incur higher costs than alternative testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal hair growth variations may influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle underneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Choosing hair follicle testing over urine tests in Orchard, NE offers clear advantages. While urine tests are traditional, hair testing provides superior detection accuracy.
With a longer detection window and fewer opportunities for sample tampering, hair testing is more reliable for employers and authorities.

Extended Detection Window

In Orchard, NE, hair follicle testing boasts an extended detection period of up to 90 days. This extensive window allows employers a comprehensive view of drug use history in potential hires or employees.
Such a timeline ensures a more complete assessment compared to shorter-term tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Orchard, NE offers a tamper-resistant approach. The integrity of such tests reduces the risk of sample adulteration significantly.
With credible and trustable results, hair tests stand as a robust solution against cheating, ensuring authenticity and reliability.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With numerous testing centers across the nation, including Orchard, NE, our convenient locations ensure quick, easy access to services.
The vast network enables seamless, hassle-free access to hair testing, accommodating clients wherever they reside or work.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Orchard, NE, the process of hair follicle testing remains simple and confidential. From ordering to results, every step is designed for ease of use.
Addressing privacy concerns, the process ensures individuals' information remains secure throughout.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Orchard, NE, hair follicle testing is not only efficient but also affordable. Maintaining competitive pricing, alongside fast turnaround times, offers excellent value for organizations of varying sizes. Experience quality and speed at a cost that fits budgets.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle testing in Orchard, NE stands out for its speed, accuracy, and reliability. The testing process offers rapid results, ensuring prompt detection of substance use.
Given its unsurpassed accuracy, professionals trust hair testing for delivering precise outcomes, making it a preferred choice.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Implementing hair follicle testing provides compliance and peace of mind for employers in Orchard, NE. Using this method aligns with drug-free workplace policies, slashing legal risks. Additionally, it enhances safety, fostering a secure and compliant working 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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