Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Sweetwater, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair analysis is now regarded as an effective method for detecting substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures long-term substance and alcohol history by embedding biomarkers within the strand's fibers as it grows. When obtained near the scalp, hair offers a detection period of roughly three months for alcohol and substances. Collection is straightforward, hard to tamper with, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch hair segment comprising approximately 200 strands (comparable to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for both screening and corroboration. For EtG, additional tests, and examinations beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. Utilizing a jeweler’s scale to measure the sample is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent portion of body hair may be procured. Head hair specifically refers to scalp hair only. All other categories of hair (including facial, axillary, etc.) are classified as body hair.

Process Overview

The primary stages in the laboratory analysis of a drug test outcome consist of Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning denotes the introductory stage of entering a sample into a lab’s system. This stage confirms that the sample is properly sealed, shipped, assigns it a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and conducts any supplementary data entries not managed by an electronic chain of custody setup.

Screening performs an initial rapid assessment for substance abuse. While Screening provides a cost-efficient means to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples presumptively positive through Screening necessitate further confirmation.

For presumptively positive samples in the Screening phase, additional hair from the initial sample is taken for Extraction. During this phase, substances are extracted from the hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to alternative methodologies (e.g., urine or saliva), making hair drug screening the most complex methodology to conduct.

Verification of any positive screening result occurs using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS methods. All samples that are presumptively positive undergo a wash before confirmation when required. Every laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is assessed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with accreditation under ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection period: Hair drug tests identify substance use for up to 90 days, as opposed to urine tests which have a shorter timeframe.
• Challenge to deceive: Cheating on a hair drug test is notably difficult, enhancing the precision of results.
• Offers historical insights: It facilitates detecting a consumption pattern over time, not merely recent use.

Limitations:

• Lack of recent use detection: Substances become detectable in hair around 5-7 days post-consumption.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically pricier than other drug test methodologies.
• Outcomes variability: Variables like hair color and individual hair growth rates can influence drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Often termed "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Over Urine Tests in Sweetwater, NE
Hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests due to its superior accuracy and reporting reliability. It identifies substances over an extended period, offering a thorough assessment of substance use habits.

Unlike urine tests, it offers a virtually uncheatable process and a more comprehensive detection window, positioning hair testing as the preferred option for rigorous drug screening.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Window for Substances in Sweetwater, NE
The up to 90-day detection window of hair follicle testing provides an exhaustive view of an individual's substance history, a significant benefit over shorter-term urine tests.

Employers gain valuable insight into long-term drug use patterns, aiding informed hiring and disciplinary decisions. This extended timeframe gives a clearer picture of an employee's lifestyle choices.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Sweetwater, NE
Hair follicle tests are formidable against tampering, offering a secure and reliable testing method. The test's integrity minimizes risks of sample manipulation, delivering unquestionable results.

This robustness is pivotal for employers wary of falsified drug tests, as hair testing curtails opportunities for deceit, securing the authenticity of test outcomes.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Locations Nationwide and Locally in Sweetwater, NE
Our extensive network of testing centers guarantees convenient access to services, eliminating the hassle of long commutes or cumbersome procedures.

With locations spread nationwide and in Sweetwater, swift, easy, and seamless testing is always within reach, ensuring efficient management of testing obligations.

Simple, Confidential Process

Simple and Confidential Process in Sweetwater, NE
Our streamlined process prioritizes simplicity and confidentiality, ensuring privacy and ease from ordering to receiving results.

This emphasis on discretion and straightforward procedures alleviates concerns, facilitating a seamless experience for all involved in the drug testing process.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Sweetwater, NE
We offer competitive pricing and quick turnaround times, balancing cost and quality for businesses of every size.

Our services provide exceptional value, ensuring companies manage their drug testing needs efficiently and economically without sacrificing promptness or precision.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Fast and Accurate Results in Sweetwater, NE
Hair follicle drug testing is renowned for its quick, accurate results, offering unparalleled precision when identifying substance use. A well-established method, it yields dependable results, ensuring decisive assessment in drug screening scenarios.

The rapid processing time of hair follicle testing allows for swift decision-making, crucial for businesses striving for efficiency. Coupled with its high accuracy, it stands unrivaled in promptness and reliability.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Sweetwater, NE Employers
Adopting hair follicle testing endorses workplace drug-free policies, safeguarding against legal risks and fostering a safer working environment.

Employers are assured of strict adherence to regulations, reducing legal liabilities while concurrently promoting a healthy, drug-free workplace atmosphere.

Drug Testing Near Sweetwater, NE

Gibbon, NE

Miller, NE

Cairo, NE

Glenwood, NE

Riverdale, NE

Mason City, NE

Ashton, NE

Loup City, NE

Boelus, NE

Litchfield, NE

Rockville, NE

Pleasanton, NE

Ravenna, NE

Hazard, NE

Poole, 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