Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Springview, NE

What it is, How it works

An effective means for identifying drug and alcohol consumption is hair analysis. Hair offers a protracted account of substance intake by embedding biomarkers within the strands. When samples are taken near the scalp, they reveal a history of up to around 90 days for alcohol and drugs. The collection procedure for hair is straightforward, fairly tamper-proof, and can be shipped with ease.

By acquiring a 1.5-inch segment consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil), one can obtain 100mg of hair, which is an optimal amount for both initial testing and confirmation. For evaluations relating to EtG, supplementary tests, and tests exceeding 10 panels, it is suggested to gather 150mg. The use of a jeweler's scale for this purpose is advisable. In cases where scalp hair is unavailable, equivalent amounts of body hair are permissible. In this context, "head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" encompasses other forms (e.g., facial, axillary).

Process Overview

The laboratory processes for obtaining a drug test result involve four principal phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses incorporating a sample into the lab's system, which includes checking the integrity of the sample's sealing and shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entries that an electronic chain of custody might not cover.

Screening serves as a preliminary scan for substance abuse. Although efficient and cost-effective to eliminate drug use in most cases, corroboration is essential for any positive findings to be considered valid legally. Presumptive positive results from Screening necessitate further confirmation.

Should a specimen test positive in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the initial sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are withdrawn from hair at a considerably reduced concentration relative to other methods like urine or saliva tests, highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.

GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques are used to verify any positive findings from the Screening stage. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before Confirmation, if necessary. The entire lab protocol, spanning from Accessioning to Confirmation, is reviewed under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair certification and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Prolonged detection period: Hair tests can track substance use over a 90-day span, unlike urine tests with shorter detection periods.
• Hard to manipulate: The difficulty of tampering with hair samples results in highly reliable outcomes.
• Historical insight: It provides an account of substance use over time, rather than just recent occurrences.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting immediate use: Drugs typically become visible in hair after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair testing is generally more costly compared to other methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth may influence metabolite levels in hair.

Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the evaluation is performed on the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Springview, NE

Hair follicle tests offer a significant advantage over traditional urine tests in Springview, NE. With superior detection accuracy, they provide a reliable assessment of drug use. Unlike urine tests, hair exams detect substance use over extended periods, making them ideal for thorough substance history analysis.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window in Springview, NE

Hair follicle testing in Springview, NE, allows for detecting drug use over a lengthy period, up to 90 days. This extended window gives employers a detailed overview of an individual's substance history, proving invaluable in assessing long-term drug use behavior.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Springview, NE

Hair follicle drug tests in Springview, NE, drastically reduce the likelihood of sample tampering. By providing results that are both reliable and unquestionable, this testing method ensures the integrity and accuracy of drug screening outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Springview, NE

• Our comprehensive network of testing centers across the nation facilitates easy access to services in Springview, NE.
• With local points available, getting tested is efficient and convenient, ensuring minimal hassle and maximum accessibility.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple, Confidential Process in Springview, NE

The process of setting up, performing, and receiving results from hair follicle tests in Springview, NE, is designed to be straightforward and confidential. This system ensures that all privacy concerns are addressed, making the entire experience smooth and secure.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Springview, NE

We offer competitive pricing for hair follicle testing in Springview, NE, coupled with fast turnaround times. This ensures exceptional value, catering to businesses of varying scales and providing cost-effective solutions for drug testing needs.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Springview, NE

Hair follicle drug testing provides rapid and precise results, making it a preferred option in Springview, NE. The test accurately reveals the presence of substances, offering high reliability in identifying use. This method stands out for its precision and rapid processing, ensuring quick and credible results.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Springview, NE

By implementing hair follicle testing, employers in Springview, NE, can guarantee adherence to workplace drug-free policies. This method diminishes legal risks and strengthens workplace safety, offering assurance and peace of mind for companies.

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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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