Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plattsmouth, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has emerged as a significant method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and other substances by securing biomarkers in the strands of developing hair. When obtained near the scalp, hair can offer an approximate 3-month detection period for alcohol and drugs. It is straightforward to gather, challenging to tamper with, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches, roughly 200 strands of hair (similar to a #2 pencil), nearest to the scalp provides 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample size for analysis and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or panels exceeding ten, 150mg of the specimen is recommended. It's suggested to weigh the specimen on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not present, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. "Head hair" specifically refers to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures of a drug test result involve four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning consists of the preliminary handling of a sample within a laboratory's system. This process ensures proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any additional data entry missing from an electronic chain of custody.

Screening is a preliminary assessment for substances of abuse. While this is a cost-efficient manner to eliminate drug usage in most samples, a positive screen needs further validation to be legally admissible. Samples that are presumptive-positive in Screening need secondary verification.

When a sample is presumptive-positive during Screening, extra hair is taken from the initial specimen to prepare for Extraction. This stage extracts drugs from the hair, typically at a lower concentration than other methods (like urine or oral fluid), making hair drug analysis particularly challenging.

Confirmation of any positive screen result is done using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive-positive samples are washed before confirmation if necessary. The full laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a reduced detection timeframe.
• Hard to deceive: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, ensuring more precise results.
• Reveals usage patterns: Provides insight into drug usage trends over time, not just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Unavailable for detecting recent use: It takes about 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Typically, hair drug tests cost more than alternative testing techniques.
• Result variations: Hair color differences and individual hair growth patterns can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in hair.

Note: Though called "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on 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 Plattsmouth, NE

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, the benefits in Plattsmouth, NE, are clear-cut. Hair testing offers significantly enhanced detection accuracy, uncovering substance use patterns that urine tests may overlook. The testing reliability assures employers and legal entities of more valid results. Superior detection comes with an indisputable edge against traditional methods.

The precision and comprehensive analysis make hair follicle testing the preferred choice over urine tests.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Plattsmouth, NE

One of the most significant advantages of hair follicle testing in Plattsmouth, NE, is its extended detection window. Unlike traditional methods, this approach traces substance use for up to 90 days. This longer evaluation period provides employers with a broader view of an individual's substance use history. Employers gain confidence in their hiring or employee assessments. A comprehensive insight into drug use enhances decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Plattsmouth, NE

Hair follicle testing in Plattsmouth, NE, virtually eliminates sample tampering risks, offering results that are trustworthy and unmistakable. Conventional testing methods face challenges of manipulation, but hair-based analysis safeguards against these threats. This approach provides indisputable evidence of substance use.
The tamper-resistant nature of hair testing ensures reliability that courts and employers trust.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Plattsmouth, NE

The availability of nationwide testing centers enhances the convenience for hair follicle testing, especially in Plattsmouth, NE. With local access readily available, participants can complete testing with ease. This hassle-free service supports quick and efficient testing, ensuring that individuals and employers have uninterrupted access for all testing needs.

Our strategically located centers simplify the logistics involved in the testing process.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Plattsmouth, NE

The hair follicle testing process in Plattsmouth, NE, is both simple and private, ensuring no intrusion on personal privacy. This confidentiality is paramount, as individuals can freely conduct tests without reservation. The ease of ordering, collection, and results delivery offers peace of mind, emphasizing privacy and respect for individuals involved.
The process is intentionally user-friendly, increasing engagement and trust.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Plattsmouth, NE

Plattsmouth, NE, benefits from competitive pricing of hair follicle tests, making them accessible to companies of all sizes. Besides affordability, the quick turnaround time ensures rapid decisions, making the entire process efficient. The combination of low cost and speed is a distinguishing feature, offering excellent value for employers committing to responsible drug testing.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Plattsmouth, NE

Hair follicle drug tests are revolutionary in delivering swift and precise outcomes. These tests excel in Plattsmouth, NE, as they ensure the highest degree of accuracy when uncovering drug use. Timely and precise detection aids employers and authorities in making informed decisions rapidly. The dependability of this method fosters trust in the testing process.

Faster processing times combined with accuracy transform the landscape of substance testing.
Test results from hair samples ensure a more clear-cut analysis, distinguishing these tests from traditional alternatives.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Plattsmouth, NE

Employers in Plattsmouth, NE, find peace of mind with hair follicle testing, as it assures adherence to drug-free policies. This compliance minimizes legal risks while bolstering workplace safety. The confidence in maintaining a safe, drug-free environment is a critical advantage of hair testing. By ensuring policy compliance, employers can focus more on operational success and less on liabilities.

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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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