Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Platte Center, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has become recognized as a valuable method for identifying drug and alcohol usage. Hair acts as an archive of drug intake by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing hair. When taken from near the scalp, hair samples can reflect drug and alcohol consumption over a span of about 90 days. The process of collecting hair samples is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and easy to dispatch.

A lock of hair measuring 1.5 inches with approximately 200 strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) cut close to the scalp provides 100mg, which is the preferred sample size for testing and verification. For tests including EtG, add-ons, and panels exceeding 10, a 150mg sample is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. In cases where scalp hair is lacking, the same quantity of body hair can be utilized. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively, whereas body hair encompasses all other types like facial and axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four primary stages in analyzing a drug test in the lab: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

The Accessioning stage involves the initial incorporation of the sample into the lab’s system, ensuring it was sealed and transported correctly, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and performing any extra data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides a preliminary assessment for substance abuse. While Screening offers a cost-efficient approach to dismiss drug use in most samples, a positive result needs verification to be legally valid. Samples with presumptive positive results in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample return a presumptive positive in Screening, additional hair from the initial sample is readied for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug testing is the most challenging methodology to execute.

Positive results from screening undergo Confirmation through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation as required. From Accessioning to Confirmation, the entire lab process is scrutinized under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation conforming to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Benefits of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug assays can reveal drug consumption over 90 days, unlike urine tests, which have shorter detection periods.
• Hard to falsify: Hair drug tests are challenging to manipulate, resulting in more reliable outcomes.
• Tracks drug use over time: It provides a timeline of drug usage over an extended period, not simply recent consumption.

Drawbacks:

• Unable to identify immediate use: Drugs require about 5-7 days to be detectable in hair.
• Expense: Generally, hair drug tests are pricier compared to other testing techniques.
• Result variability: Variables such as hair color and individual growth rates can impact drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", these tests examine the hair strand solely, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Platte Center, NE, hair follicle testing is often regarded as superior to traditional urine testing due to its enhanced detection capabilities. Unlike urine tests, hair tests can uncover drug use over a more extended timeframe, making them vital for those looking to maintain a zero-tolerance policy. This detection accuracy and reliability offer substantial benefits.

Choosing hair follicle testing over urine testing in Platte Center, NE, offers significant advantages. The main reason is the reliable history it provides. Hair tests are less likely to be affected by recent drug abstention, revealing a more comprehensive pattern of use, whereas urine tests might only show recent activity.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Platte Center, NE, provides an extended detection window, making it highly effective in tracing drug use. With the ability to detect substances up to 90 days back, this testing option offers employers a detailed look at an individual's substance use history, aiding in better-informed decisions.

The long-term overview provided by hair testing in Platte Center, NE, complements workplace and legal requirements by delivering a historical substance use perspective. This extended window is vital for comprehensive analysis and ensuring safety standards are met.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Platte Center, NE, the hair follicle testing method is known for being tamper-resistant. It minimizes the possibilities of sample manipulation, ensuring results remain reliable. This secure testing approach removes the doubts surrounding potential adulteration, providing trustworthy outcomes for those involved.

With its impenetrable reliability, hair follicle testing in Platte Center, NE, ensures the integrity of the sample is maintained throughout. This gives confidence in the resulting data, offering a robust alternative to other testing methods subject to tampering.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Access to drug testing is hassle-free in Platte Center, NE, thanks to the widespread availability of testing centers. The convenience of our nationwide locations ensures quick and easy services, simplifying the process for individuals and organizations needing reliable test results.

With numerous centers across the country, our local presence in Platte Center, NE, guarantees seamless access to testing solutions. This comprehensive network of facilities provides a streamlined path from testing to results, ensuring the testing experience is as straightforward as possible.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Platte Center, NE, is simple and confidential. Easy access to services, combined with guaranteed privacy, ensures a smooth experience for those needing testing. This makes the entire process, from ordering to receiving results, straightforward and stress-free.

Addressing privacy concerns in Platte Center, NE, is achieved through a discreet and efficient process. The hair testing service is designed to alleviate anxieties, speeding up access to necessary information while maintaining confidentiality at all stages.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

In Platte Center, NE, hair follicle testing is characterized by affordable pricing and swift turnaround times, catering to various company sizes. This ensures excellent value without compromising on the quality and speed of the service, meeting the needs of modern business environments.

Providing fast and economical testing options in Platte Center, NE, allows firms of all sizes to benefit from comprehensive drug screening solutions. The efficient pricing model and prompt results ensure the best return on investment, supporting business operations.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Platte Center, NE, hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its quick and accurate results. This method pinpoints substance use with high precision, offering trustworthy insights that meet the needs of various requirements. The speed and dependability of these tests ensure that results are both timely and reliable, providing peace of mind.

Accuracy is key when testing for drug use, and hair follicle tests stand out in Platte Center, NE. By offering detailed and methodical analysis, these tests confirm results with consistency, making them the preferred choice for individuals and organizations seeking factual data on substance use.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle testing in Platte Center, NE, provides peace of mind through compliance with drug-free policies. This not only reduces the chances of legal complications but also contributes to a safer, healthier workspace by ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.

Employers in Platte Center, NE, benefit from adopting hair follicle testing due to its ability to meet compliance needs. By providing verifiable results, this testing method supports the creation of a responsible and legally secure work environment.

Drug Testing Near Platte Center, NE

Silver Creek, NE

Leigh, NE

Richland, NE

Lindsay, NE

Saint Bernard, NE

Genoa, NE

Creston, NE

Humphrey, NE

Cornlea, NE

Duncan, NE

North Platte, NE

Columbus, NE

Monroe, NE

Lakeview, NE

Tarnov, 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