Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Stockham, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is recognized as an effective mechanism for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. It provides a comprehensive history of substance use by capturing biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected from near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeline of up to roughly three months for alcohol and other substances. It's straightforward to gather, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A sample of 1.5 inches comprising approximately 200 strands of hair (about the thickness of a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for screening and confirmation. For EtG testing, add-ons, and/or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is suggested. We advise using a jeweler’s scale to weigh the specimen. If head hair isn't available, an equivalent volume of body hair can be collected. When we mention head hair, we exclusively mean scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

In the lab processing of a drug test, four key steps are involved: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning refers to the initial incorporation of a sample into a lab's system. This process checks that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any extra data not available from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening provides an initial rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Though cost-effective for excluding drug use in most samples, a positive screening result necessitates confirmation to be permissible in legal contexts. Any samples that are presumptively positive in Screening require further confirmation.

If a sample indicates a presumptive positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and set for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are separated from hair at substantially lower concentrations than other techniques (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug screening is particularly challenging.

Confirmation for any positive screen result uses GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All samples presumed positive undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify drug use for a period of up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that have a shorter detection timeframe.
• Challenging to manipulate: Cheating a hair drug test is extremely difficult, enhancing result accuracy.
• Historical usage overview: It reveals a drug use pattern over time, rather than merely recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Incapable of detecting recent use: Drugs take around 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing techniques.
• Result variability: Elements like hair color and individual hair growth variations can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis is actually conducted on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the skin.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Hair follicle testing boasts superior detection accuracy over traditional urine tests in Stockham, NE. This method provides a much longer window of detection, allowing employers and authorities to gain clearer insights. By catching traces of substance use that might be missed by urine tests, hair testing ensures reliability and a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's history.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle tests extend the detection window up to an impressive 90 days compared to shorter urine test timelines. This extended period offers employers in Stockham, NE a thorough review of an individual's substance use history, proving invaluable in hiring or monitoring policies. Insights gained assist in making informed, responsible decisions for both new applicants and existing employees.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Stockham, NE benefits from hair follicle drug tests because of their tamper-resistant nature. The likelihood of sample adulteration is vastly reduced, as hair tests are nearly impossible to cheat. These tests ensure the reliable capture of accurate data, providing stakeholders with unquestionable results, fortifying the integrity of the evaluation process.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Experience the convenience of having diverse testing centers with locations not just nationwide but also locally in Stockham, NE. Our services are designed to cater to a broad audience, ensuring that accessing necessary testing facilities is quick and hassle-free. With strategically positioned centers, we promise a seamless and efficient testing experience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Stockham, NE, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward, safeguarding privacy at every step. From the initial order to taking the test and receiving results, confidentiality is prioritized, making it easy to manage. Clients gain peace of mind with a simplistic approach that negates unnecessary complications while addressing privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing coupled with fast turnaround times defines our approach in Stockham, NE. These tests offer exceptional value for organizations of all sizes, presenting a balance between economy and rapidity. Choosing this service means benefiting from competitive pricing structures without compromising on quick and reliable outcomes.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Stockham, NE, hair follicle drug tests are lauded for their precision and speed. They stand as a robust tool in detecting substance use, allowing for a clear and accurate result. Compared to other methods, the reliability of hair testing is unmatched. Here, tests are not only fast but also meet high standards of accuracy necessary for various professional settings.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Stockham, NE ensures enhanced compliance and peace of mind for employers. This method aligns with workplace drug-free policies seamlessly, minimizing potential legal risks. Hair tests not only enhance organizational safety but also reinforce stringent adherence to zero-tolerance standards, fostering a safer work 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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