Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sholes, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has evolved into a potent method for detecting drug and alcohol use. It offers a comprehensive timeline by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of actively growing hair strands. Hair collected near the scalp can reveal substances used over the previous 90 days. It is straightforward to gather, resists tampering, and is easy to transport.

A hair sample measuring 1.5 inches with roughly 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil in size) close to the scalp yields 100mg, which is the optimal amount for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional assessments, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is advised. Verification of the hair’s weight can be done using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be used. Note that “head hair” specifically means scalp hair, while “body hair” includes all other types like facial or axillary hair.

Process Overview

There are four critical steps in the laboratory process for drug test outcomes: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the phase where a sample is initially processed into the laboratory system. It ensures the sample's proper sealing and shipping, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening acts as a preliminary check for drugs of abuse. Although cost-efficient for identifying potential non-users, any positive results need confirming to stand up legally. Presumptive positives from Screening call for a second confirmation step.

If Screening indicates a presumptive positive, additional hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. Here, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), showcasing the challenging nature of hair drug testing.

Confirmed positive results are validated using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All tentative positives undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The full analysis process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, undergoes scrutiny under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Gains of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can reveal drug use spanning up to 90 days, more so than shorter-window urine tests.
• Hard to falsify: The reliability of hair drug tests is enhanced by the difficulty in falsifying results.
• Archival data: Offers a timeline of drug consumption behavior, not limited to recent activity alone.

Drawbacks:

• Not for immediate use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to appear in hair samples after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically incur higher costs compared to other testing types.
• Result variance: Drug metabolite levels can fluctuate due to factors like hair color and individual hair growth variations.

Note: While often mentioned as "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand and not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing in Sholes, NE provides benefits exceeding those of traditional urine tests. Its capacity for enduring detection of substances grants significant advantages.
With hair testing, the reliability of results finds favor, given its near-impregnable resistance to evasion tactics employed by some in typical urine assays.

This robust method captures a comprehensive history of use, proving indispensable in zero-tolerance settings.

Extended Detection Window

The hair follicle testing method in Sholes, NE extends the timeframe for drug use detection up to 90 days.
This comprehensive span provides employers a thorough understanding of an individual’s substance use tendencies.

Detecting drug use over such an extended period enables organizations to establish a well-rounded profile of an employee's, or applicant's, history.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Sholes, NE, hair follicle testing stands as a highly secure method that significantly lowers the chances of tampering.
The collection and analysis process ensures the integrity of the results, which remain reliable and valid.

Providing outcomes that are almost impossible to adulterate, hair testing assures stakeholders of authenticity and trustworthiness in its data.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers in Sholes, NE are part of a vast nationwide network, offering exceptional convenience to those seeking hair follicle testing.
Whether it’s quick access or ease of process, our extensive localized locations ensure seamless service.

Offering hassle-free entry to testing services, individuals and employers both benefit from our strategic positioning across numerous locales.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Sholes, NE, our hair follicle testing process is both straightforward and confidential, ensuring a smooth transition from ordering to obtaining results.
Privacy concerns are mitigated with secure processing, raising confidence in the procedure.

An uncomplicated approach serves those who require assurance of confidentiality, consistently addressing user concerns efficiently.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our competitive pricing schemes in Sholes, NE offer unparalleled value in hair follicle testing.
By reinforcing this with fast result turnaround, organizations enjoy excellent cost-effectiveness.

Especially for companies with varying sizes, our pricing coupled with swift processing stands as an attractive proposition that rewards diligence with economic feasibility.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Sholes, NE, hair follicle drug tests are known for their speed and precision. They deliver fast and accurate results indicative of substance use history.
Hair tests are celebrated for their meticulous analysis, ensuring high standards of accuracy in detecting even the slightest traces of drugs.

The rigorous method of testing enables a quick turnover, allowing results to be processed efficiently. The reliability of hair tests provides invaluable insights.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Utilizing hair follicle tests in Sholes, NE ensures that employers maintain compliance with drug-free workplace policies. This significantly reduces systemic legal risk.
Enhanced workplace safety is a direct benefit, fostering an environment that prioritizes employees' well-being.

Employers find peace of mind when employing such a dependable method that aligns with regulatory standards, safeguarding their organizational interests.

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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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