Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sutherland, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective instrument for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. It offers an extended historical record by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. Hair, when taken close to the scalp, provides an approximate detection period of three months for drugs and alcohol. The collection process is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch sample comprising about 200 hair strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, the preferred amount for initial and confirmatory testing. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, 150mg is suggested. Using a jeweler’s scale to measure the specimen is advisable. Should scalp hair be absent, a similar quantity of body hair may be obtained. Head hair explicitly denotes scalp hair, while body hair encompasses other types such as facial and axillary.

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures for analyzing a drug test result consist of four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning deals with the sample’s introduction into a lab's system. This includes checking the sample’s seal and shipping correctness, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any remaining data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening is a preliminary inspection for drug abuse. Although Screening is economical for excluding drug usage in most samples, any positive result must undergo confirmation to hold up in court. Samples that are tentatively positive in Screening necessitate a follow-up confirmation.

In case of a presumptive positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, drugs are extracted from hair at a much lower concentration than other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most intricate methodology to conduct.

The Confirmation step for any positive screening result employs GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptively positive samples are cleansed before confirmation if required. The laboratory procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed for adherence to the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests that offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to deceive: The difficulty in bypassing a hair test leads to more accurate results.
• Historical data provision: It offers a usage pattern over time rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Inability to detect recent use: Drugs take about 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: The expense of hair drug tests generally surpasses other testing methods.
• Result variations: Factors like hair color and growth differences among individuals can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Typically termed "hair follicle tests", these tests actually assess the hair strand itself rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Sutherland, NE, hair follicle testing outpaces traditional urine tests by offering heightened detection precision.

• Extended detection period
• Less susceptible to tampering
• More reliable results

Extended Detection Window

In Sutherland, NE, hair follicle drug tests offer an unmatched extended detection window.
These tests can trace drug use for up to 90 days, granting employers an extensive insight into an individual’s substance history.

• Comprehensive historical view
• Extensive detection window

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Sutherland, NE are renowned for their tamper-resistant nature.

• Difficult to adulterate
• Ensures genuine results

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With Accredited Drug Testing, accessibility is never an issue in Sutherland, NE.
Our national network of testing centers provides seamless testing services.

• Quick and hassle-free
• Convenient local and nationwide options

Simple, Confidential Process

The process of hair follicle testing in Sutherland, NE is straightforward and discrete.
Designed with privacy in mind, each step from ordering to receiving results is streamlined.

• Confidentiality assured
• Simple procedure

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable pricing and swift outcomes define hair follicle testing services in Sutherland, NE.
Our competitive rates and quick turnarounds represent exceptional value.

• Cost-effective options
• Fast results

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug tests in Sutherland, NE boast swift, precise results. Their unparalleled accuracy makes them a preferred choice for substance detection.
With these tests, pinpointing substance use with confidence is possible, ensuring only the most dependable outcomes.

• High accuracy
• Fast turnaround

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Incorporating hair follicle testing at workplaces in Sutherland, NE cultivates compliance and tranquility.

• Align with drug-free policies
• Mitigate legal risks

Drug Testing Near Sutherland, NE

Ogallala, NE

Wellfleet, NE

Maxwell, NE

Madrid, NE

Roscoe, NE

Elsie, NE

Grainton, NE

Dickens, NE

Wallace, NE

Paxton, NE

Sarben, NE

Hershey, NE

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews