Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Walton, NE

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair serves as a durable record of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When hair is cut close to the scalp, it can reveal up to a three-month timeframe of alcohol and drug use. Hair collection is uncomplicated, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient to transport.

A 1.5-inch length consisting of around 200 hair strands (approximately the width of a #2 pencil) near the scalp provides 100mg of hair—considered the ideal quantity for analysis and verification. For EtG, add-ons, and tests over 10 panels, 150mg of hair is preferred. It's advisable to use a jeweler’s scale for weighing the sample. If scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent amount of body hair may be used. 'Head hair' refers exclusively to scalp hair, while 'body hair' encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The primary steps in laboratory processing for drug testing results include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning entails the initial integration of a sample into a laboratory's system. This step involves confirming that the sample was securely sealed and correctly shipped, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not handled by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening consists of a preliminary examination for drug presence. Though a cost-efficient means to discount drug consumption in most samples, a positive screening requires confirmation to be valid in legal proceedings. Any samples registering a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate subsequent verification.

If a sample shows a presumptive positive result in Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample and readied for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are drawn out from hair at concentrations much lower than other procedures (such as urine or oral fluid), highlighting why hair drug testing is particularly challenging.

Confirmation of positive screening outcomes is performed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positives are cleansed as necessary before confirmation. The entire lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes evaluation 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 can uncover drug use for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which offer a shorter detection span.
• Hard to falsify: Cheating on a hair drug test is very challenging, thus enhancing result accuracy.
• Tracks usage over time: Provides a record of drug consumption patterns over time, not just recent intake.

Limitations:

• Does not catch recent use: Drugs generally become detectable in hair around 5-7 days after use.
• Expense: Hair drug tests are typically more costly than alternate drug testing methods.
• Result variability: Factors like hair color and individual growth rates can alter drug metabolite concentration.

Note: Although commonly dubbed "hair follicle tests", the test examines the hair strand and not the follicle underneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

Why Hair Testing Triumphs in Walton, NE compared to traditional urine tests: Hair follicle testing shows superior detection accuracy and reliability.

Employers in Walton have a strong case for hair testing due to its impressive benefits over urine tests, such as accuracy and reliability.

Extended Detection Window

Extended Detection Period of Hair Testing in Walton, NE allows employers to understand an individual's substance history more comprehensively.

Hair tests offer up to 90 days of substance detection, giving Walton employers vital insights into substance habits.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Tamper-Resistant Testing in Walton, NE proves to be highly reliable, greatly minimizing risks of sample tampering.

Hair tests are a robust option, providing Walton with results that are unquestionable and reliable, thanks to their tamper resistance.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Convenient Testing Options in Walton, NE ensure easy and hassle-free drug testing with nationwide and local availability.

Accredited Drug Testing's extensive network provides Walton residents simple access to all testing services, ensuring convenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

Streamlined, Confidential Process in Walton, NE reassures users with simplicity from ordering to result acquisition.

Our confidential testing process addresses privacy concerns, ensuring Walton residents experience ease and comfort.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Competitive Pricing and Quick Results in Walton, NE offer exceptional value, with fast service and affordable options for businesses.

Walton companies benefit from budget-friendly pricing without compromising on the speed of receiving accurate results.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Swift and Accurate Testing in Walton, NE ensures hair follicle drug tests stand out with their precision in detecting substance use. These tests deliver fast and reliable results.

Hair follicle testing has earned a reputation for its high accuracy, providing trusted results for those needing substance detection in Walton.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Compliance and Assurance for Employers in Walton, NE is achieved through hair follicle drug testing, reducing legal concerns.

The use of hair testing helps Walton employers maintain a safe work environment, assuring compliance with drug-free policies.

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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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