Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stella, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis has gained recognition as a robust method for detecting substance use and alcohol consumption. By capturing biomarkers within the strands of developing hair, it provides a prolonged history of alcohol and various drugs. Collected near the scalp, it can reveal drug and alcohol use over approximately a 90-day period. Hair collection is straightforward, challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.

A sample measuring 1.5 inches, consisting of around 200 strands or roughly the width of a #2 pencil near the scalp, will yield 100mg of hair, which is optimal for both screening and confirmation. For testing EtG, add-ons, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of hair is suggested. It is advisable to measure the weight of the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, a similar quantity of body hair can be obtained. References to head hair pertain solely to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory process for evaluating a drug test result comprises four main stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the preliminary stage of integrating a sample into the lab's system. This step involves checking that the sample is properly sealed and shipped, assigning it a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any necessary data entry that is not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening offers an initial assessment for signs of drug abuse. Though Screening is a cost-efficient technique for eliminating drug use in most cases, a positive result requires confirmation to be accepted in legal settings. Samples testing presumptive positive during Screening must undergo further confirmation.

Should a sample test presumptively positive at the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the original sample for preparation in Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at significantly lower levels compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which makes hair drug testing one of the more challenging methodologies.

Positive screening results are confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples are washed prior to confirmation if necessary. The complete process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair tests can identify drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a shorter detection span.
• Hard to circumvent: The durability of hair drug tests reduces the likelihood of tampering, thereby increasing accuracy.
• Shows usage patterns: Provides comprehensive data on drug consumption over time, beyond recent use.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent usage: Drug traces become detectable in hair only after 5-7 days.
• Expense: Hair drug testing tends to be more costly compared to alternative methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentration levels.

Note: While commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is performed on the hair strands, not the follicles beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why choose hair follicle testing over urine tests in Stella, NE? The superior detection accuracy and reliability of hair testing provide numerous advantages. Unlike traditional urine tests, hair analyses capture a broader spectrum of drug history with greater precision, offering more definitive insights.

Extended Detection Window

In Stella, NE, hair follicle testing stands out due to its extended detection window. Capable of identifying drug use up to 90 days prior, it offers employers a thorough understanding of an individual's substance use history, making it an invaluable tool for comprehensive evaluations.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Stella, NE, the tamper-resistant nature of hair follicle tests provides unmatched reliability. Unlike other testing methods, hair tests significantly minimize the risk of sample adulteration, delivering results that are consistent and indisputable.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Stella, NE, benefits from convenient nationwide testing centers, ensuring quick and easy access to drug testing services. Our strategically located centers simplify the testing process, offering hassle-free and efficient solutions for everyone involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Stella, NE, the process of hair follicle testing remains simple and confidential. From ordering to taking the test and receiving the results, each step prioritizes user privacy and ease of use, addressing common concerns with transparency and simplicity.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, hair follicle testing in Stella, NE, provides excellent value for companies of all sizes. Affordable pricing structures and swift processing ensure great returns on investment and peace of mind for all stakeholders.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stella, NE, hair follicle drug tests are celebrated for their speed, precision, and reliability. The hair testing process not only ensures rapid results but also assures high levels of accuracy when identifying substance use, making it a preferred option for swift and dependable outcomes.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

For employers in Stella, NE, hair follicle testing ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies. By significantly reducing legal risks and enhancing workplace safety, it provides businesses with peace of mind and helps maintain a secure professional 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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