Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Plymouth, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now recognized as a highly effective method for uncovering drug and alcohol consumption. Hair acts as a historical record for alcohol and other substances by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When taken from near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use over a span of about three months. It is straightforward to collect hair samples, challenging to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of around 200 hairs (approximating the size of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp offers 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both testing and verification. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses beyond 10 panels, a 150mg amount of hair is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample is suggested. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, the equivalent amount of body hair may be used. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Procedure Highlights

The lab processing of a drug test involves four major stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial entry of a specimen into a lab’s system. This step ensures the sample was appropriately sealed and sent, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any necessary additional information typically not covered by an electronic chain of custody.

Screening provides a preliminary evaluation for drug residues. While it’s an economical way to dismiss drug usage in the majority of cases, any positive result needs further validation for court acceptance. Presumptive positives from Screening must undergo follow-up confirmation.

If the Screening phase indicates a presumptive positive, more hair is obtained from the initial collection for further Extraction. Here, drugs are isolated from the hair in much lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluids, underscoring the complexity of hair drug analysis.

Positive findings from Screening are verified using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technologies. All presumptively positive samples undergo a pre-confirmation wash as required. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair standards and ISO / IEC 17025 certification.

Merits of hair drug analysis:

• Extended timeframe: Hair analyses can trace drug use up to 90 days, while urine analyses offer a more limited window.
• Resistance to tampering: Tampering with a hair test is exceedingly difficult, enhancing the reliability of results.
• Tracks usage history: It outlines a user’s drug use patterns over time, rather than just recent activity.

Drawbacks:

• Delayed detection: Drugs only become detectable in hair after about 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug analyses are typically pricier than alternative drug testing methods.
• Result variation: Factors such as hair color and individual hair growth rates can alter drug metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests", the analysis focuses on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Plymouth, NE, hair follicle testing outshines traditional urine testing in various ways. Longer Detection: Unlike urine tests, hair tests reveal a history of substance use up to 90 days back, offering a comprehensive view. Reliability: Hair tests are much harder to manipulate than urine tests, ensuring trustworthy outcomes. Accuracy: They detect a broader spectrum of substances, making them a superior choice for employers committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace.

Extended Detection Window

One distinct advantage of hair follicle testing is its extended detection window. In Plymouth, NE, employers benefit from a system offering a 90-day detection period, far exceeding the capacity of urine tests. This extended window allows a deeper insight into an applicant’s or employee’s substance use, enhancing the capacity to make informed hiring or retention decisions. Such comprehensive screening is invaluable for maintaining workplace safety and integrity.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

The tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle testing is a key advantage for organizations in Plymouth, NE. Secure Samples: Unlike urine samples, hair samples are far less susceptible to adulteration, ensuring that results are trustworthy and authentic. The collection procedure, conducted under observation, significantly minimizes any chances of tampering, making it an unparalleled solution for reliable drug testing in workplace environments.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our extensive nationwide network ensures easy access to drug testing facilities in Plymouth, NE. Convenience: With local and nationwide centers, we provide quick and hassle-free access to testing services. This widespread availability means less travel and a more straightforward testing process, ensuring that individuals and organizations can meet their testing needs efficiently and promptly without logistic hurdles.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair testing process in Plymouth, NE, is simple and confidential. Easy Process: Ordering, taking, and receiving hair test results are straightforward, ensuring little stress or confusion. Privacy: Our procedures prioritize confidentiality, so individuals can trust that their information is secure and protected throughout the testing process. Ease of access to results further ensures a stress-free experience.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

We offer competitive pricing and fast turnaround for drug testing in Plymouth, NE. Value: Our pricing structures are designed to be affordable for businesses of any size, providing excellent cost efficiency. Quick Results: With prompt processing and delivery of results, companies can make timely hiring or compliance decisions, benefiting from both cost savings and operational efficiency.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, precise, and reliable results are guaranteed with hair follicle testing in Plymouth, NE. Speed: Our testing centers are equipped to provide quick turnarounds, giving you the results you need promptly. Accuracy: Hair tests boast impressive accuracy in detecting drug use, leaving little room for error. Their thoroughness ensures that employers have dependable evidence of an individual's substance use history, fostering a safer work environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Plymouth, NE, gain compliance and peace of mind with hair follicle testing. Adhering to Policies: Using this testing method supports strict adherence to drug-free workplace policies, crucial for maintaining legal and safety standards. By minimizing risks associated with drug use in the workplace, employers can protect their staff, reputation, and business operations, ultimately creating a safer and more productive 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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