Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Wallace, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as a significant method for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. Hair retains a comprehensive record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair shaft as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can offer a detection period of up to approximately three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is straightforward to gather, relatively hard to tamper with, and easy to transport.

A 1.5-inch segment containing about 200 hair strands (comparable in size to a #2 pencil) near the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the preferred sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and/or tests comprising more than 10 panels, it is advised to collect 150mg of the sample. We suggest using a jeweler's scale to weigh the specimen. If scalp hair is not available, the same amount of body hair can be collected. By head hair, we mean scalp hair exclusively. Body hair refers to all other forms of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

There are four primary phases in the lab processing of a drug test result: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the first stage of sample processing within a laboratory. This stage ensures that the sample is correctly sealed and shipped, allocates a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfills any extra data entry roles not managed by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening includes a swift preliminary check for drug abuse. Although Screening offers an economical method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed for legal acceptance. Samples showing presumptive positives in Screening require further confirmation.

Should a sample show presumptive positivity during Screening, extra hair is taken from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other testing methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening the most challenging to perform.

Confirmation of any preliminarily positive screening outcome is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Presumptive positive samples are cleaned before confirmation is needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection duration: Hair drug tests can recognize drug use for up to 90 days, compared to urine tests with a more limited detection window.
• Cheat mitigation: Cheating a hair drug test is significantly complex, rendering the results more precise.
• Historical insight: It affords a pattern of drug usage over time rather than recent use alone.

Limitations:

• Recent use undetectability: It takes roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests usually cost more than other testing methods.
• Outcome variability: Factors like hair color and personal differences in hair growth can impact drug metabolite concentration in hair.

Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the test itself evaluates the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

When comparing hair follicle testing to urine testing in Wallace, NE, several advantages emerge. Hair tests boast superior detection capabilities over conventional urine tests. Their ability to uncover drug use over an extended period makes them a more reliable option, providing substantial evidence for substance history.

Extended Detection Window

The extended detection window of hair follicle testing in Wallace, NE offers substantial advantages. With a reach of up to 90 days, employers gain detailed insights into an individual's substance use background, far exceeding the limited scope of other testing methodologies like urine tests.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle tests in Wallace, NE are designed to minimize the risk of tampering, ensuring reliability and accuracy. This testing method provides peace of mind through its resistance to manipulation, offering unquestionable results crucial to maintaining integrity in substance testing.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Finding a nearby testing center in Wallace, NE is hassle-free thanks to our extensive network of locations nationwide. This wide reach ensures quick access to professional drug testing services anywhere, simplifying the testing process for all involved.

Simple, Confidential Process

Hair follicle testing in Wallace, NE is not only reliable but also straightforward and confidential. The process from ordering to receiving results is designed for simplicity, ensuring user privacy and ease, accommodating everyone's needs with discretion.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Our testing services in Wallace, NE are priced competitively and deliver fast turnaround times. An attractive pricing structure combined with efficient processing provides excellent value, making hair follicle testing accessible for companies of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

In Wallace, NE, hair follicle drug testing delivers fast and precise results. The method's advanced analytical technology ensures a high level of accuracy when detecting various substances. Tests are processed efficiently, presenting a reliable way to ascertain recent drug use with confidence.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Employers in Wallace, NE benefit from the compliance and reassurance provided by hair follicle testing. By aligning with drug-free policies, this method enhances workplace safety, and mitigates legal risks, offering a sense of security and peace of mind.

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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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